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The 2023 NFL Draft is finally wrapped up, but for the Green Bay Packers and the other 31 teams across the league, player acquisition is hardly finished. Following the draft, eligible players who were not selected are free agents and can sign with any team they choose.
The Packers have a long history of success developing undrafted free agent players, and at least one such player has made the team’s initial 53-man roster as a rookie almost every season in recent memory. With a number of intriguing players still available after the 259 draft selections have passed, the Packers will be in play for a number of those players.
We at Acme Packing Company will be here to keep you updated on all of the reported signings. Note that some players will also be invited to participate in the teams’ rookie minicamp on a non-rostered tryout basis, and we will provide reports of those players below as well.
Reported UDFA Signings
hey @NFL
— We Run the Sip (@OMRebelNation) April 26, 2023
This is what happened to the last guy that underestimated Malik Heathpic.twitter.com/6tr2RjufaZ
Stats: 131 receptions, 1,720 yards, 13 touchdowns
Height/weight/speed: 6023, 213 pounds, 4.64-second 40-yard dash
Notes: Mississippi State transfer who originally went to junior college out of high school. Was the second-ranked junior college receiver in the 2020 class, according to 247’s composite rankings. He actually had more yards than 2023 second-round receiver Jonathan Mingo in 2022 for Ole Miss. Only 23 years old, despite spending time at three schools. Was invited to the NFL scouting combine in February.
HOLY DUECE WATTS !!!pic.twitter.com/kf6KzHJ5vX
— The Transfer Portal CFB (@TPortalCFB) November 18, 2022
Duece Watts is a WR prospect in the 2023 draft class. He scored a 6.98 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 920 out of 3048 WR from 1987 to 2023. https://t.co/0z2A1tQzPa pic.twitter.com/PpdNH3VmJU
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 15, 2023
Stats: 85 receptions, 1,500 yards, 17 touchdowns
Height/weight/speed: 6012, 196, 4.59
Notes: Transferred in from junior college in 2020. Posted an outstanding 37.5” inch vertical at his pro day.
.@ChigTweets jumped off the film last year with his athleticism and versatility as a TE-plus weapon.@FSUFootball's Camren McDonald (@CaamMcd) uses his length, burst and balance after catch to be a dynamic weapon for FSU's offense. Expecting big things this year! #ShrineBowl https://t.co/8BdNwoXone pic.twitter.com/SEC0KSlvCN
— Eric Galko (@EricGalko) July 28, 2022
Stats: 74 receptions, 861 yards, five touchdowns
Height/weight/speed: 6042, 237, 4.99
Notes: Brought in on a pre-draft visit by the Packers.
Henry Pearson is a TE prospect in the 2023 draft class. He scored a 4.51 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 608 out of 1105 TE from 1987 to 2023. https://t.co/Nf6XXIr8Z5 https://t.co/moSOPy5ASS pic.twitter.com/Gz6yOFZO6l
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 30, 2023
Going back through game film, and what a big block from Henry Pearson on this play to extend a late drive: pic.twitter.com/A1uzgLOkjE
— Bret Strelow (@bretstrelow) September 24, 2019
Stats: 74 receptions, 897 yards, 11 touchdowns
Height/weight/speed: 6023, 249, 4.80
Kadeem Telfort is a OT prospect in the 2023 draft class. He scored a 1.59 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 1089 out of 1294 OT from 1987 to 2023. #Packers https://t.co/vlCunPGfsL https://t.co/7Zs5rwSjDo pic.twitter.com/MEgxKUl4sP
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 30, 2023
Dominant rep by Kadeem Telfort pic.twitter.com/i4dBiVlEAu
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) January 30, 2023
Stats: Started 28 games at UAB
Height/weight/speed: 6074, 322, 5.43
Notes: Was suspended at Florida after a credit card fraud scandal as a freshman. Spent time at two junior colleges before transferring to UAB. Had a pre-draft visit with the Packers. Played left tackle for three years at UAB and will turn 25 in November.
Chuck Filiaga is a OG prospect in the 2023 draft class. He scored a 7.89 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 301 out of 1423 OG from 1987 to 2023. https://t.co/3yMKIn5u7h #Packers pic.twitter.com/pB5R4ePAdg
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 30, 2023
Stats: Started 13 games at Minnesota
Height/weight/speed: 6055, 321, 5.43
Notes: Spent five years at Michigan (making nine starts) before transferring to Minnesota. All of his starts, at both stops, have been at guard.
Jason Lewan is a DT prospect in the 2023 draft class. He scored a 8.55 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 237 out of 1623 DT from 1987 to 2023. https://t.co/2yFsl2tEnT pic.twitter.com/69ujVQCZQ0
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 23, 2023
Stats: 100 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, five sacks
Height/weight/speed: 6062, 293, 5.07
Notes: Originally joined the Redbirds as a tight end.
He understood the assignment. @keshawn_banks with a BIG TFL.#Win22 | #GoAztecs pic.twitter.com/rKXnSOnG4X
— San Diego State Football (@AztecFB) September 18, 2021
Stats: 137 tackles, 42 tackles for loss, 13 sacks
Height/weight/speed: 6032, 251, 4.80
Stats: 179 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, seven pass deflections
Height/weight/speed: 6012, 232, 4.68
Christian Morgan is a FS prospect in the 2023 draft class. He scored a 8.67 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 131 out of 974 FS from 1987 to 2023. https://t.co/zv0utfEmon pic.twitter.com/xI8FSeFmez
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 13, 2023
Second blocked punt of the year for Christian Morgan!
— Baylor Football (@BUFootball) November 3, 2018
Ebner carries it home for his first TD of the season.
Baylor 14, OSU 10
2Q | 2:08 #SicOSU pic.twitter.com/Nwb8aRyh6Y
Stats: 163 tackles, 12 pass deflections, seven interceptions
Height/weight/speed: 6004, 200, 4.52
Notes: Recorded the highest Nike SPARQ score for a recruit in 2017. Recorded an outstanding 40.5” vertical jump at his pro day.
With our last pick, at #247 we take Northern Iowa Safety Benny Sapp III. Son of the former Chiefs and Vikings cornerback, he definitely has the genetics along with some edge he got from his father. #Browns #NFLDraft
— c nn r (@BernienChompz) March 27, 2023
pic.twitter.com/IpzOalA8pr
Stats: 138 tackles, 16 pass deflections, nine interceptions
Height/weight/speed: 5110, 200, 4.62
Notes: Transferred from Minnesota after two years with the Gophers. Son of Benny Sapp II, a former NFL cornerback. Injuries derailed his recruitment out of high school, but he once held offers from Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State and Oklahoma.
Cox was a productive pass-rusher for the Gators, and his junior season in 2021 was his finest. That year, he set career highs in sacks (8) and tackles for loss (14.5), adding a forced fumble as well. Cox stands 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds, ideal size for a 3-4 edge rusher, and although his 40 time was average, he has a great first step and explosiveness, posting a 10-yard split time above the 85th percentile for edge rushers.
The @packers have signed @brenton_cox_! #GoGators | #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/mlJcv6vAcN
— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) May 1, 2023
Cox’s pass-rushing ability is not in question, but his dismissal from two different SEC programs is cause for some concern and may be why he did not hear his name called during the 2023 Draft. A 5-star recruit, Cox started his college career at Georgia in 2018, where he played in 13 of 14 games as a true freshman. Shortly before the 2019 season, Georgia dismissed him from the team, though he reportedly placed his name in the transfer portal just before the Bulldogs made the move official, and he chose to transfer to Florida.
However, the Gators also dismissed him from the team last November following Cox throwing a punch at Bulldogs left tackle Broderick Jones during the 2022 rivalry game with his former team. Florida coach Billy Napier said that the dismissal was a “cumulative effect,” clearly implying that there were multiple issues that built up to Cox’s departure.
If Cox can move past the issues that led to him leaving a pair of SEC programs, he could prove to be an excellent find for the Packers in the UDFA process. If not, the Packers can move on with little to no guaranteed money tied up.
Update: All reported signings were officially confirmed by the Packers.
Reported Rookie Minicamp Tryouts
- Shane McDonough, P, North Carolina State
- Justin Ademilola, EDGE, Notre Dame
- Jacquez Jones, ILB, Kentucky
- Javon Scruggs, SAF, Liberty
- B.R. Hatcher, LS, Old Dominion
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