Packers Essentially Get Second Rookie Class in 2015

Quite a few members of the Packers rookie class of 2014 essentially redshirted during their first season in professional football.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jeff Janis—Jasen Vinlove, USA TODAY Sports.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jeff Janis—Jasen Vinlove, USA TODAY Sports.

The Green Bay Packers got significant contributions from their rookie class in 2014.

Safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and center Corey Linsley were named to the NFL's All-Rookie Team by the Pro Football Writers of America.

Wide receiver Davante Adams and tight end Richard Rodgers emerged as trusted targets of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, particularly down the stretch.

Defensive lineman Mike Pennel and linebacker Jayrone Elliott became role players, getting their feet wet both on defense and special teams.

As much as there is to like about the 2014 rookie class from the aforementioned six players, there's an even greater number that essentially redshirted their first season in professional football.

For a few rookies, injuries prevented them from stepping on the field this past season and for others, more experience was needed.

The Packers will welcome a new rookie class following the NFL Draft and rookie free agency, and for many of the newcomers, they'll be competing for roster spots with several members of last year's rookie class that will be looking to make a big jump in their second year in the NFL.

What follows is a brief look at the members of the Packers 2014 rookie class that either played sparingly or not at all and where they stand heading into 2015:

 

Defensive lineman Khyri Thornton

After suffering a hamstring injury in the fourth and final preseason game, Thornton was placed on season-ending injured reserve. The third round draft choice of the Packers made six tackles during the exhibition season but made little impact during training camp. Having access to a professional weight room and training staff for an entire season may have been the best thing for Thornton, who faces a steep battle to earn a roster berth in 2015. If fellow defensive lineman Letroy Guion's recent arrest has clouded his future in Green Bay, however, Thornton could be viewed as a circumstantial beneficiary.

 

Linebacker Carl Bradford

It took the majority of training camp for the Packers to decide Bradford didn't have what it takes to play outside linebacker on the line of scrimmage in the NFL, particularly height and length. He was switched to inside linebacker in time for the fourth preseason game, although he remains a work in progress. The Packers obviously thought enough of Bradford to keep him on the active roster all season, not wanting to see him claimed by another team, but he was the only player on the opening-day roster that wasn't active for a single game in 2014. Bradford finds himself in a favorable situation at an inside linebacker that is in desparate need of help, especially considering A.J. Hawk and Brad Jones are likely to be cap casualties in the offseason.

 

Wide receiver Jared Abbrederis

Unfortunately for Abbrederis, he tore the ACL in his right knee no more than a few days into training camp. On one hand, if there was ever a good time to suffer such a debilitating injury, training camp might be the time to do so. At least Abbrederis will be almost a full year removed from injury by the time training camp starts. On the other hand, it remains to be seen how much speed and push-off strength have been sapped. Some players recover from injury faster than others. Assuming Randall Cobb comes back next season, Abbrederis probably would be no better than the fourth wide receiver on the roster, but he's got to start somewhere. 

 

Cornerback Demetri Goodson

The Packers made a controversial decision at the conclusion of training camp to keep Goodson on their roster instead of Jumal Rolle, one they hope will pay off. The rookie from Baylor played in six games for the Packers in 2014, although it didn't include a single snap on defense, playing exclusively on special teams. It would appear the team hopes Goodson's basketball background will translate to the cornerback position, a cover corner expected to contribute on the perimeter of the field and not as a slot defender. With Tramon Williams, Davon House and Jarrett Bush all scheduled to become free agents in March, Goodson could climb up the depth chart rather quickly.

 

Wide receiver Jeff Janis

It became increasingly obvious late in the season that the Packers just didn't feel Janis was ready to contribute in 2014 despite getting subpar play from both fellow wideout Jarrett Boykin and kick returner DuJuan Harris. Janis did play in three games at midseason, playing a total of 15 snaps on offense and a handful more on special teams, and totaling two catches. It certainly looked as if Janis was capable of making explosive plays in the preseason, accouting for two touchdown receptions and a long kickoff return. The jump from Division II college football to the NFL, however, remains a rather sizable chasm.

 

Tight end Justin Perillo

After parting ways with Ryan Taylor midseason, the Packers promoted Perillo from the practice squad to the active roster. The undrafted rookie from Maine saw action in two games, playing a total of 11 offensive snaps on the season. Raw but talented, the Packers thought enough of Perillo to carry him on their roster the rest of the season. If the organization decides to part ways with Brandon Bostick in light of his mistake in the NFC Championship game, then Perillo will have one less competitor for a roster spot next season.

 

Defensive lineman Luther Robinson

Promoted from the practice squad to the active roster just a few weeks into the season, Robinson was on his way to carving out a role with the Packers before injury struck. His 2014 season will be best remembered for getting in the face of Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder, leading to a hurried throw that was picked off and returned for a touchdown by Julius Peppers. That was before Robinson injured his calf in December and was placed on injured reserve. In limited exposure, Robinson showed ability to penetrate into the backfield but must get stronger at the point of attack.

 

Defensive lineman Bruce Gaston

When Robinson was placed on I.R. the Packers went hunting for a defensive lineman, signing Gaston off the practice squad of the Arizona Cardinals. Although he was on the 53-man roster, Gaston was never active for a single game. While at Purdue in college, Gaston played in 50 consecutive games for the Boilermakers, displaying good durability. He'll receive a chance in the offseason to prove he belongs.

 

Practice squad players

Linebackers Joe Thomas and Adrian Hubbard, running back Raijon Neal, offensive linemen Jeremy Vujnovich and Josh Walker, cornerback Tay Glover-Wright

Thomas might be in the best situation of all the true rookies on the practice squad, playing a position that's soon to be void of depth in Green Bay at inside linebacker. Hubbard and Vujnovich were the only two rookies to spend the entire season on the practice squad, perhaps showing how much the team values their potential. Neal, meanwhile, was signed back to the practice squad after suffering a knee injury during the preseason.

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Comments (18)

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HankScorpio's picture

February 09, 2015 at 06:26 pm

I can think of nobody on that list that has more potential to help than Carl Bradford. ILB is the only true hole on the roster, IMO. So there is a clear pathway for him. I think there is a decent chance he can fill a role on the defense, especially with the way they shuffle LBs based on situation. I'm just wondering if my opinion is about what I want to happen or what really has a realistic chance of happening.

All of the rest of those guys play positions where adding another decent player would be helpful. If one or more makes that year 1 to 2 jump, it puts the Packers ahead of the game in building the final 53 + 8.

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Idiot Fan's picture

February 09, 2015 at 08:31 pm

Am I remembering correctly that Joe Thomas was ILB? I remember thinking that he was showing some flash during camp. I'm not necessarily expecting him to come in and take over as starter, but I'd like to see what he's got in his second camp. Too bad he couldn't practice during the season.

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ben's picture

February 09, 2015 at 07:06 pm

2015 53-man Roster
QB: Rodgers, Flynn, 6thRounder
RB: Lacey, DuJuan, Starks, Raijon Neal
FB: Kuhn, 5thRounder
WR: Jordy, Janis, Abbrederis, Adams, Boykin
TE: 3rd Rounder, Stoneburner, Quarless, Richard
OL: Bakhtiari, Sitton, Linsley, Lang, Bulaga, Barclay, Vujnovich, Tretter
DL: Suh, Raji, Daniels, Neal, Datone, Boyd, Pennel, Robinson
LB: Peppers, Matthews, Perry, 1stRounder, 4thRounder, Barrington, Jayrone Elliot, Adrian Hubbard
CB: Shields, House, Heyward, Hyde, Goodson
S: Burnett, 2ndRounder, (Hyde), Richardson, Dix
ST: Crosby, Masthay

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ben's picture

February 09, 2015 at 07:20 pm

QB: Sorry, Tolzien has better opportunity elsewhere.
HB: Dujuan is special, Raijon looked Great.
FB: TIme to invest a mid-round pick and a roster spot in training John Kuhn's future replacement.
WR: Janis and Abbrederis will be great.
TE: Stoneburner has the most upside of any TE and was on the verge.
OL: With the resigning of Bulaga, the packers have the best and deepest offensive line ever to protect the "best", but not "greatest" QB in football history.
DL: With the return of Raji to NT and the surprise signing of SUH, the packers make the middle of their defense, the team's greatest weakness that past few years, the best all-round defensive front in the league.
LB: MLB needs a lot of help. Clay Nitschke is the only capable guy in there. Barrington isn't the answer.
CB: 4 very good cornerbacks, without tramon.
S: Burnett is the real deal. Again, Sorry, Dix is not.

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Evan's picture

February 09, 2015 at 08:10 pm

I want to print this comment out, dip in bronze and save it forever. Such a thing of beauty.

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Packer_Pete's picture

February 09, 2015 at 08:47 pm

Evan, I think dipping in gold is warranted! I'm not sure whether we have ever seen such a great WR group in green and gold as the one listed.

Basically, let's sign Suh and not extend Cobb. Trade for Stoneburner. Draft a QB in the 6th round (maybe he can replace #12 in the playoffs), Dajuan Harris is backup RB. Apparently, this team also needs 2 FBs, has no long snapper anymore, Ted will draft another safety very high, and in an unprecendented move, Goddell will allow the Packers to keep 54 on the roster. OR maybe that is why Hyde is in parentheses, he's the odd man out, or maybe he will be the emergency QB...

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Packer_Pete's picture

February 09, 2015 at 08:54 pm

Reading this one again, I have to say this is one of the greatest posts ever on CHTV !!! Maybe Hyde is actually the new DB coach. Or he'll replace Capers as DC. Who knows. I mean there must be a reason why he is in parentheses. Maybe because there are 54 guys listed on that roster. Is #12 the new long snapper? Or maybe Peppers can do that in his last year. At least he is so tall that nobody can jump over him.

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ben's picture

February 10, 2015 at 05:52 pm

Put it together,

Hyde is a corner back. But he also plays safety.

Just cause he can play 2 positions doesn't mean he takes up 2 roster spots.

pretending to not get it when you really don't get it is sad not funny

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Packer_Pete's picture

February 10, 2015 at 06:57 pm

that's fine. So who's the long snapper on your roster? Who's the 2nd WR?

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4thand1's picture

February 10, 2015 at 08:18 pm

My ex wife has a big snapper, and could be a wide receiver too.

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phillythedane's picture

February 09, 2015 at 07:34 pm

Uhmm, ben, speaking of real deals, Jake Stoneburner has been a member of the Miami Dolphins since the first week of November.

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4thand1's picture

February 09, 2015 at 08:31 pm

Personally , I'd like to see them sign Mike Ditka.

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Packer_Pete's picture

February 09, 2015 at 08:35 pm

We're going to be trading the 7th rounder to the Dolphins for Stoneburner! And he is great and will become an All-Pro TE.

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Allan Murphy's picture

February 10, 2015 at 01:33 am

Wow you guys are crazy .

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

February 10, 2015 at 04:36 am

QB 2 Arod, Tolzien locks. late draft/UDFA for PS
RB: 5 Lacy, Starks, locks. Kuhn probable. Harris, Raijon and draft pick fight 2 spots.
WR:5 Nelson, Cobb Adams locks. Abbrederis, Janis, Dorsey and draft pick (maybe mid) fight for 2 spots.
OL: 8 Sitton, Bakh, Lang, Linsley, Bulaga, Tretter locks.
Barclay probable. Vujnovich, Taylor and draft pick (maybe mid to later) fight for 1 spot.
TE: 4 Rodgers, Quarless, locks. Perillo probable. Bostick and draft pick fight for 1 spot.

24 offense.

DL: 6/7 Daniels, Datone, Boyd, Raji locks. Thornton, probable. Pennel bubble. Robinson maybe. Gaston PS. Probably a high draft choice here.
OLB: 6: Perry, Neal, Peppers, CMIII, locks. Elliott probable. Mulumba bubble. Hubbard, Palmer long shots. Probably a draft pick, high to mid. 1st 3 OLBs on list all FAs/retiring after 2015.
ILB: 4: Barrington lock. Lattimore probable. Bradford, Joe Thomas, draft pick x2 probably high, maybe UDFA as well, fight for last 2 spots.
CB: 6: Shields, Hayward, House? Hyde locks. Goodson probable. Bush bubble+. Draft pick, maybe high.
S: 3 Clinton Dix, Burnett locks. Richardson probable. Banjo bubble.

25/26 defense.

ST: 3 Crosby, Masthay and Goode all locks.

Abbrederis Probable. Janis: Bubble. Deep draft again for WRs - TT might be tempted. Dorsey Long shot.
Thornton: injured. Drafted as a project. Even if he stinks, TT likely to keep him short of a scandal.
Bradford & Thomas: Loved Bradford pick but always as an ILB. I'll have to eat crow if he gets cut. Long shot. Thomas Bubble - depends on how high the draft picks are.
Perillo: OK 4.76 forty, good cone 6.98. Wish he was taller (6' 2.7") and heavier (250). Intriguing. Probable.
Hubbard: No real idea. Practice squad again?
Raijon Neal: Bubble. Some tempting RBs in the draft
Goodson: Probable.
Luther Robinson and Gaston: Long shots. PS
Vujnovich: Long shot. Draft has some OTs that might tempt.

I assume every injured player makes a full recovery. I assume Tolzien, but it could be Flynn. Assume Cobb, Bulaga, House, Raji, Kuhn, Bush, Lattimore, Barclay and Richardson are re-signed. I have a roster spot open if only 6 DL are kept. Draft priorities: ILB, CB, DL, TE. Possible surprise luxury pick at WR, RB, OT, and OLB if someone too good to pass on falls.

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RCPackerFan's picture

February 10, 2015 at 07:02 am

Great Article.

Really most of the players listed were essentially red shirted for the year.

The players I think they need to step up the most are Thornton and Bradford.
Both were higher draft picks. Those are the players that have to play better.

I think both WR's could take major steps up next year. Abbrederis is another slot type of WR that the Packers don't have other then Cobb. Janis really reminds me of Nelson. He has the size and speed that you look for. I think where both players could really help the team next year will be on special teams. I can see Abbrederis being the main PR, and Janis being the main KR.

I really liked what I saw in Robinson before he went on IR. I want to see how he develops.

From the practice squad the players I think that have the best shot of making the roster are Joe Thomas and Adrian Hubbard, Raijon Neal, and Jeremy Vujnovich.
Thomas looked really good in the preseason till he got hurt. Same with Neal. I think both players could have made the 53 if they didn't get hurt in the preseason. I look for both players to make strong pushes to make the roster next year.
Hubbard has the size, speed and he had the year to learn. He is a guy to watch out for next year.

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Tundraboy's picture

February 10, 2015 at 04:22 pm

For all of the above points I am excited about how much better they can be. Like Janis,Neal and especially Hubbard, a lot and if V plays well enough, that One line depth allows us to pursue other positions all the more.

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mdstrek's picture

February 11, 2015 at 10:45 pm

When they sign Cobb - I don't see us keeping 5 RBs only 4. Lacy and Starks - lock. Kuhn - if he doesn't cost too much. Harris, Neal and others fight for the other spot (or spots if Kuhn doesn't sign). Harris couldn't find the field last season.
Cobb can work out of the backfield and with ARod, another receiver will have more upside.
Do we bring back Lyerla for another look or just forget that experiment? I thought there was potential for Colt to be very good but the other stuff doesn't balance the equation.

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