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After signing nine undrafted free agents upon passing their physicals in Green Bay, the Packers went into the weekend's rookie minicamp with an 84-man roster. That roster consisted of their 11 draft picks, those nine rookie free agents, and 64 players who were on the roster before the 2013 NFL Draft (rookies and street free agents alike). As the Green Bay Press-Gazette is reporting, the team has added three players to that list after signing tryout players after minicamp and with those signings and the release of Micah Johnson this morning, the roster now sits at 86, meaning there are four spots available.
We take a look at the three newest Packers below.
FB Jonathan Amosa, Washington
The 5'11", 237-pound Amosa was the starting fullback for the Washington Huskies in 2012, a team that finished 7-6 and ended their season with a close 28-26 loss to Boise State in the Las Vegas Bowl. Amosa was primarily a lead blocker at Washington, as he closed his collegiate career with three receptions for 26 yards and a touchdown but no rushing attempts. Amosa will in all likelihood compete with Ryan Roberson for the backup fullback job and a spot on the practice squad.
WR Tyrone Walker, Illinois State
No, the Packers are connected to a fourth Redbird this off-season, as Walker joins his college QB Matt Brown and linebacker Nate Palmer with the team. Safety Ben Ericksen was reported to be an undrafted free agent signing, but he reportedly did not pass his physical exam and was therefore not signed to a contract.
Walker was the leading receiver for Illinois State in 2012, recording 90 catches for 1,319 yards and nine touchdowns in 13 games. He also led the team in 2011 with 64 receptions for 787 yards and 8 touchdowns in his 11 starts. As the Press-Gazette notes, he holds school records for all major receiving statistics, and he could benefit from a comfortable relationship with Brown, the Packers' fourth quarterback.
CB Brandon Smith, Arizona State
Smith is a converted wide receiver, and brings some size to the cornerback position that the Packers are lacking. A graduate of Arizona State who started his NFL career in 2011, Smith stands 6'1 and weighed in at 202 pounds in his Pro Day that year. He is a great physical specimen, timing in at 4.39 in his 40-yard dash and posting a vertical jump of 40 inches. He got a brief tryout with the Seahawks during the preseason in 2011, but has since begun working as a corner in the hopes of earning an NFL job. Between his size and speed, he would make an intriguing practice squad prospect as a player who could come in to compete for a full spot in 2014.
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