The Green Bay Packers announced that they have five of their 10 draft picks under contract, as of Friday.
Those players are fifth-rounders DeAngelo Yancey and Aaron Jones, sixth-round pick Kofi Amichia, and seventh-rounders Devante Mays and Malachi Dupre.
As we’ve pointed out in the past, the collective bargaining agreement signed in 2011 makes these rookie contracts largely a formality. Each team has a predetermined rookie salary pool based on their draft slots. Each player is compensated commensurate to where they were drafted.
So that makes things pretty easy for the teams. What also makes it easy is all of these rookies are currently in Green Bay for a rookie minicamp.
The team also announced the signing of these 15 undrafted free agents: cornerback Donatello Brown, linebacker Johnathan Calvin, wide receiver Michael Clark, wide receiver Montay Crockett, guard Thomas Evans, guard Geoff Gray, linebacker Cody Heiman, quarterback Taysom Hill, defensive tackle Izaah Lunsford, guard/tackle Adam Pankey, tight end Aaron Peck, running back Kalif Phillips, cornerback Lenzy Pipkins, cornerback David Rivers, and punter Justin Vogel.
This weekend will also allow a number of tryout players a chance to impress the Packers’ coaching staff. Those who do, if any, will get contracts and be invited to training camp.
I was doing a little research on the draft picks and I think Malache Dupre could be a big sleeper and the biggest surprise of this draft class. Going into his junior year he was being discussed as a first or second round prospect, and by some as a potential top ten pick. Then general dysfunction, with Les Miles being fired after four games and LSU making Fournett the focal point of the offense put Dupre in the background. Mediocre QB play also didn’t help his cause, and apparently has small hands. The guy has a lot of ability, being in a good offensive system and having Aaron Rodgers throw you the football will help. Janis, and perhaps Trevor Davis are in serious jeopardy of not making the final roster.