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More Rookie Free Agents Have Signed

The Packers ended up signing three of the rookie free agents that they tried out last weekend. I already discussed FB Corey White.

Next up is LB/DE DeVon Hicks. At his listed 6'3" and 240 pounds he would have to play linebacker or be such a good pass rusher that the Packers keep him on the roster as a situational pass rusher only. The Packers have had some guys like that on their roster over the last few seasons, but none of them have lasted very long. However his agent says he has bulked up to 260 pounds which would be good enough to play defensive end. John Murphy had this to say about Hicks:

Fellow junior defensive end/linebacker DeVon Hicks, who also made himself eligible for the draft, will also be using that day to impress scouts. He was the defensive MVP of the Mississippi JC All-Star Game and recorded 86 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and five forced fumbles this past season. Hicks has more of a 3-4 OLB body-type (6-2, 254) and some local evaluators have said he was timed in the 4.5 range back in his prep days.
If he can show some pass rushing moves in the preseason then he's got a chance to make the team. Undrafted DE Cullen Jenkins made the team a couple of seasons ago after he used the preseason games to show off his inside pass rush moves.

Then there is C Pete Bier. At 6'3" and 295 pounds he's got the height to play in the middle of the offensive line, but he is undersized and will have trouble against the big monster defensive tackles. You have to like that he was four year starter at Army. Of course he's a real longshot, but the Packers aren't too deep at center and guard so he could stick with the team if he has a strong training camp. If he can survive the first few cuts of training camp and the preseason, he might manage to hang on as a member of the practice squad.