Meet the Packers' Undrafted Free Agents: Tight Ends and Offensive Linemen

Earlier today, we took a look at the one quarterback and two running backs whom the Green Bay Packers signed as undrafted rookie free agents over the last week and a half. This afternoon, we look closer to the line of scrimmage as we break down a quartet of rookies, two at the tight end position and two on the offensive line.

Justin Perillo

Position: Tight end
College: Maine
Height: 6 feet, 2-7/8 inches
Weight: 250 pounds

In the Colonial Athletic Association (an FCS conference), Perillo was the first-team All-Conference tight end in each of his last two years as a Black Bear. The Green Bay Press-Gazette ran a piece on Perillo recently (which we referenced in Wednesday's cheese curds) talking about his work to become an NFL player from a lower level of college football, and his days spent as a long-snapper could give him some small bit of added value.

In terms of receiving production, Perillo put up almost 500 receiving yards and four touchdowns and finished his career with over 1,300 yards and 15 scores. He's not exceptionally tall, fast (4.76-second 40 at his Pro Day), or explosive (30-1/2" vertical) but he's got quick feet (6.98-second cone drill) and he is a hard worker who will likely need to stand out for his work blocking or on special teams to earn a roster spot.

Colt Lyerla

Position: Tight end
College: Oregon
Height: 6 feet, 3-7/8 inches
Weight: 242 pounds

Much has been made of Lyerla's signing - probably more so than any other Packers rookie free agent in recent memory. For the purposes of this article, we'll focus on his skills and athleticism on the field only and leave the off-the-field issues alone.

There's no debate that Lyerla possesses some rather incredible athleticism - his 39-inch vertical and 4.6 speed are testaments to that. As an added bonus, Lyerla's hands are 10-1/4 inches long, and only two other tight ends at the Scouting Combine had hands larger than his. The key now is turning his raw athleticism and physical attributes into productive play on the field, and that is something that the Packers' coaching staff (especially tight ends coach Jerry Fontenot) will need to work hard to bring out of him.

John Fullington

Position: Offensive tackle
College: Washington State
Height: 6 feet, 5-1/8 inches
Weight: 300 pounds

Fullington is a versatile lineman who started at least five games at each offensive line position except center in his collegiate career. Really, it was a rather strange progression for Fullington, as you can see by the games he started by position each year:

2010: RT 1, LT 5
2011: LG 12
2012: LT 2, LG 10
2013: RG 5, RT 8

The Packers labeled him a tackle, however, which makes sense given his tall frame. He put up 30 reps on the bench press at the Cougars' Pro Day, but he'll have an uphill battle to earn a roster spot, even as a player who can play both inside and outside. If he doesn't make the team, look for Fullington to be in the mix for a spot on the practice squad.

As an added bonus, his impressive mane will help him fit right in with David Bakhtiari and Josh Sitton on the left side of the line.

Jordan McCray

Position: Offensive guard
College: Central Florida 
Height: 6 feet, 2-7/8 inches
Weight: 322 pounds

As the starting left guard for UCF in 2013, McCray earned first-team All-Conference accolades as the Golden Knights won the conference and earned a spot in the Fiesta Bowl, where they defeated Baylor. McCray's twin brother Justin, who signed with the Tennessee Titans this year as a rookie free agent, was UCF's starting right guard. Jordan split the 2012 season between the right and left guard positions, starting seven games at each spot.

Jordan's functional strength is very solid, as he put up 33 reps on the bench press at Pro Day.

Compared to the measurements of the rest of the Packers' offensive linemen, there's no question that McCray is a guard - he lines up with almost exactly the height and weight measurements that the Packers like at the position. With several players ahead of him on the depth chart, including some with versatility at multiple positions, McCray may have a difficult time cracking the roster unless he demonstrates that he can contribute at other positions in a pinch, especially at center.