Packers sign five tryout players after releasing Goodley, Pepper

Coming into rookie orientation over the weekend, the Green Bay Packers’ roster sat at 87 players after the signing of 15 undrafted free agents and making 10 draft selections. During the day on Monday, we learned of two players from that minicamp who were earning pro contracts with the Packers: Josh Letuligasenoa and Will Stanback.

However, those were not the only two moves the Packers made on Monday.

According to the NFL’s transaction wire, the Packers actually signed five of their tryout players, releasing two individuals off the roster to make room. The released players are wide receiver Antwan Goodley, who was waived with an injury designation, and long snapper Taybor Pepper.

Pepper’s release leaves Derek Hart as the only long snapper on the roster, though veteran Brett Goode remains an unrestricted free agent and a potential option as long as he does not sign with another team.

In addition to Letuligasenoa, an edge rusher, and Stanback, a running back, the Packers signed the following three players:

• Raysean Pringle, cornerback
• David Talley, inside linebacker
• Aaron Taylor, safety

Pringle is in an odd situation, having played wide receiver and running back at Southern Utah but entering the NFL as a corner. He also returned kickoffs as a senior. Pringle finished second on the team in rushing last season, carrying the ball 63 times for 417 yards and six touchdowns. His Pro Day workouts included a reported 40-yard dash of 4.42 seconds, 24 reps on the bench press, and a 7.02-second 3-cone time.

Talley is a fast, explosive linebacker out of Division II Grand Valley State (the same school as former Packers draft pick Charles Johnson). A couple of numbers pop off the page when looking at his workout numbers: his 4.51-second 40 and 41-inch vertical jump while measuring in at 6’1” and 236 pounds. In 2016, Talley was the team’s second-leading tackler with 76 total stops, including nine for loss and 3.5 sacks. He also picked off a pair of passes, returning one for a touchdown.

Finally, we come to Taylor, the safety from Ball State. As a senior, Taylor recorded an impressive 11.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He did not record a collegiate interception, but is likely more suited to a strong safety position. Taylor’s change-of-direction skills (7.08-second cone) are more impressive than his straight-line speed (4.59 40).

With these moves, the Packers now officially have a full 90-man roster.