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Over the next few weeks, we will break down each position on the Green Bay Packers' 2015 roster in detail, discussing each player and making our predictions for the final 53-man roster.
Ted Thompson has the best track record of any NFL general manager when it comes to drafting wide receivers, which is good since he seems to draft them every year. After spending three picks on wideouts in 2014 and handing contract extensions to Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb, Thompson decided to dip his toes in the draft pool again this offseason as well as sign a bevy of undrafted free agent receivers.
Here is our breakdown of the new additions to the Packers' receiving corps.
Ty Montgomery
Acquired: third-round draft pick, No. 94 overall
Age: 22
H/w: 6'0", 221 pounds
College: Stanford
College stats:172 receptions, 2,125 yards (12.4 average), 15 touchdowns; 39 carries, 334 yards (8.6 average), 4 touchdowns; 12 punt returns, 238 yards (19.8 average), 2 touchdowns; 91 kickoff returns, 2,493 yards (27.4 average), 3 touchdowns
Contract: four-year contract worth $2,948,794, $606,544 guaranteed; 2015 cap hit of $586,636
The Packers front office believes Ty Montgomery is a bigger version of Randall Cobb. While that praise may be a little over the top, Montgomery does project to hold a similar role to the one Cobb had as a rookie. Montgomery can contribute immediately on returns where he excelled at Stanford while learning his craft at receiver.
Javess Blue
Acquired: signed as undrafted free agent
Age: 22
H/w: 5'11", 188 pounds
College: Kentucky
College stats: 72 receptions, 1,212 yards (16.8 average), 9 touchdowns; 4 carries, 19 yards (0.4 average); 7 punt returns, 20 yards (2.86 average); 25 kickoff returns, 510 yards (20.4 average)
Contract: three-year contract worth $1,579,000, $4,000 guaranteed; 2015 cap hit of $436,333
A junior college transfer, Javess Blue enjoyed two productive seasons with Kentucky before graduating. Like Montgomery, the Packers could feature Blue on both on offense and on special teams. Unlike Montgomery, Blue isn't built like a bowling ball. That may limit his on-field impact, especially given how few snaps there are to go around behind the starters and key backups.
Ricky Collins
Acquired: signed as undrafted free agent
Age: 23
H/w: 6'0", 198 pounds
College: Texas A&M-Commerce
College stats: 78 receptions, 1,285 yards (18.6 average), 14 touchdowns*
*Includes statistics from Collins' 2012 season at Midwestern State
Contract: three-year contract worth $1,580,000, $5,000 guaranteed; 2015 cap hit of $436,666
Though Ricky Collins came to Texas A&M-Commerce via junior college (with a stop at Midwestern State in between), he originally committed to Southern Methodist out of high school. He is well built with a long wingspan, but his relatively short stature and Division-II background raise questions about his ability to make the leap to the NFL.
Adrian Coxson
Acquired: signed as undrafted free agent
Age: 22
H/w: 6'1", 209 pounds
College: Stony Brook
College stats: 86 receptions, 1,425 yards (16.6 average), 11 touchdowns*
*Includes statistics from Coxson's 2011 season at Maryland
Contract: three-year contract worth $1,580,000, $5,000 guaranteed; 2015 cap hit of $436,666
Like Collins, Adrian Coxson begin his college journey at the FBS level before transferring down. However, Coxson started with SEC power Florida, competing with and against some of the best talent in the nation. When his father got sick, he transferred to Maryland to be by his side. After a year with the Terrapins, Coxson transferred again to Stony Brook. His production was adequate, but the Packers signed him for his upside.
Jimmie Hunt
Acquired: signed as undrafted free agent
Age: 24
H/w: 6'0", 208 pounds
College: Missouri
College stats: 74 receptions, 1,204 yards (16.3 average), 12 touchdowns; 4 carries, 28 yards (7.0 average); 9 kickoff returns, 183 yards (20.3 average), 1 touchdown
Contract: three-year contract worth $1,580,000, $5,000 guaranteed; 2015 cap hit of $436,666
The oldest of the rookie wideouts, Jimmie Hunt also may boast the best pedigree. After two years at a junior college, he transferred up to Missouri during one of the best runs in the program's history. Hunt was never the Tigers' most important weapon (that honor goes to Dorial Green-Beckham or Bud Sasser), but he contributed significantly both of his seasons in Columbia.
Larry Pinkard
Acquired: signed as undrafted free agent
Age: 23
H/w: 6'0", 196 pounds
College: Old Dominion
College stats: 160 receptions, 2,338 yards (14.6 average), 25 touchdowns
Contract: three-year contract worth $1,578,000, $3,000 guaranteed; 2015 cap hit of $436,000
Larry Pinkard was highly productive during his time at Old Dominion, but he's not without some red flags. Monarchs head coach Bobby Wilder dismissed Pinkard prior to his senior year, ending his college career. Still, the wideout ranks second in school history in receiving yards and third in receptions. The talent is there for the Packers to develop, Pinkard just has to avoid slip ups.