Probably nowhere in the NFL are undrafted free agents more closely watched than in Green Bay. Without fail, the Packers always end up keeping one and usually more on their final roster.
Although most of them don’t end up sticking around long-term, the Packers have unearthed some gems via this means, most notably Sam Shields and more recently LaDarius Gunter.
With that in mind, here’s a look at the undrafted free agents that will be competing for roster spots this year.
Johnathan Calvin, DE/OLB, Mississippi State, (6-3, 272): Looks like a bit of a tweener, although we are sure the Packers will use him at outside linebacker. Had seven sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss as a senior. The knock is he’s not terribly athletic.
Taysom Hill, QB, BYU, (6-1 1/2, 230): This is an interesting signing because Hill was a hybrid run/pass quarterback in college. He threw for 2,323 yards, 12 TDs and 11 interceptions as a senior. He ran for another 600 and eight TDs. Hill ran for more than 1,300 yards in 2013. Will the Packers keep him at QB or move him to another position?
Donatello Brown, CB, Valdosta State, (6-0, 192): A Division II prospect, there isn’t much on the stat sheet for Brown. He recorded only 11 tackles, two interceptions and four passes defended as a senior, but apparently teams didn’t want to challenge him. Has the size teams look for in cornerbacks.
Montay Crockett, WR, Georgia State, (6-0, 180): Not much production from this guy in college, period. He totaled just eight receptions in his first three seasons and finished with 24 for 339 and a touchdown as a senior.
Aaron Peck, WR, Fresno State, (6-3, 225): Caught 46 balls for 630 yards and three touchdowns as a senior for a really bad Fresno State team. Peck certainly has the size to play at the next level.
Lenzy Pipkins, CB, Oklahoma State, (6-0, 196): Definitely has the best name of anyone on the Packers’ roster. Pipkins played one season at OSU after coming over from Louisiana-Monroe. Had 38 tackles, one interception and one pass defended in 2016.
Geoff Gray, G, Manitoba, (6-5, 315): The Packers showed interest in Gray leading up to the draft. They attended his pro day and had him in Green Bay for a visit. Gray isn’t the first undrafted free agent the Packers have plucked from Canada — he follows linebacker Andy Mulumba.
Justin Vogel, P, Miami, (6-4, 212): It appears Jake Schum will have some training camp competition for the punting job. Vogel averaged 43.8 per kick in 2016, while putting 25 inside 20. He had just two touchbacks.
Izaah Lunsford, DT, Bowling Green, (6-3, 312): Had 50 tackles, including 3.5 for loss and one sack as a senior. Clearly not much of a pass rush threat, but has the size to stuff up the middle.
Adam Pankey, G, West Virginia, (6-5, 316): The Packers no doubt love Pankey’s versatility. He played right guard as a senior, getting a second-team All-Big 12 nod. He started at left tackle in 2014 and left guard in 2015.
Thomas Evans, G, Richmond, (6-3, 315): Was only a full-time starter for one season, but appears to be strong as an ox. He set program records in power clean (425) and bench press (525) back in 2015.
Christian Schneider, UC-Davis, RT, (6-6, 305): Schneider was a four-year starter and earned honorable mention All-Big Sky in 2016.
David Rivers III, CB, Youngstown, (6-2, 185): Rivers had 33 tackles in 2016, but has only one career interception. Word is, he was a disappointment last season, which probably cost him in terms of being drafted. That said, he has the size and speed to play in the pros.
Cody Heiman, ILB, Washburn, (6-3, 245): Had 101 tackles, including seven for loss and 3.5 sacks, as a senior. He also recorded two interceptions, while earning first-team All-MIAA honors at Division II Washburn.
Yaaaaaaay!!!! A Punter!!!!!
Please cut Schum now, we already know he is the worst in the league just like Masthay was. Forget the competition if anyone else shows up that has kicked a ball once they win the job.
Plus a guy named after a Ninja turtle…he has to make the roster.
Some very interesting fellas here. Remember at this point it’s about looking for traits or at least one trait that they like.
Last year I guessed Kentrell Brice and Geronimo Allison had a chance and I was right (lucky I guess). I’ll dig in and see what if anything strikes me about these guys.
UDFA predictions:
Calvin – Practice Squad potential or cut
Hill – Possible Steal (position switch to slot WR or Safety?)
Brown – Practice Squad potential or cut
Crockett – Practice Squad potential or cut
Peck – Practice Squad potential or could make the team
Pipkins – Practice Squad potential or cut
Gray – Practice Squad potential or cut
Vogel – nearly identical to Schum kick averages likely cut but you never know
Lunsford – Practice Squad potential or cut
Pankey – Practice Squad potential or could make the team
Evans – Same as Pankey, could make it
Schneider – Practice Squad potential or cut
Rivers III – Practice Squad potential or cut
Heiman – Practice Squad potential or cut
Summary: a couple of intriguing developmental Guards, an interesting battle for a punter’s position in camp, a possible WR steal and a former QB possible steal as an athlete with final position TBD.
The Hill kid is a great athlete and a good QB. Hill has had several injuries to his knee(s?), foot (Lisfranc), dislocated elbow, and broken leg over the years. He is also older than most because he went on a 2 year church mission. I think he is 26, or 27. The kid just puts it all out there even when as a QB he should have went down. His running ability as a QB was exceptional. He was also a good college QB. The kid should have been schooled in how to protect himself, but he plays with no thought to his own health. That may be considered by some to not be in the interest of the team as a QB. If he stays as a QB the first lesson will be get what you can and find a soft spot to slide. Some may consider him injury prone.
“….the Packers have unearthed some gems via this means, most notably Sam Shields and more recently LaDarius Gunter.”
Where are we at, that we now refer to Ladarius Gunter as a “gem”?
Maybe i’m just missing something. Let’s be honest, i’m not the brightest bulb in the house.
I guess playing 19 games, giving up over a 112 passer rating, having 0 picks and 14 PD is now the equivalent to unearthing a priceless gem.
Your negativity is refreshing and new.
Without Gunter, we do not make it to the playoffs.
You drafted him in the 7th, right? 6th? A guy who has a roll to play and who, in a pinch, will step in and be your NUMBER ONE cb for the entire year as a second year player, even though both he and the team know he can’t haul ass? 2013 Revis was a udfa? Who did you want to sign instead?
I guess I underestimated you. Forget Wolf and Gustenwhatsitwhoever. You’re the future GM. I don’t understand how you aren’t well-paid. You should be on with Skip. You ought to be coaching and GM. The second coming of…
Oh, wait, that’s right. You’re arguing on a web forum about a udfa.
Right on.