Tracking the Packers' 2019 Post-Draft UDFA Signings
By jasonperone
According to various sources, these are the undrafted free agents (UDFAs) the Green Bay Packers are signing. Click on the player’s name for more information about him.
The list will be updated as more signings or tryout invites are announced.
DL Randy Ramsey, Arkansas via Jim Owczarski
OT Yosh Nijman, Virginia Tech via Mike Kaye
CB Nate Brooks, North Texas via Jason Hirschhorn
DE Greg Roberts, Baylor via Ryan Wood
QB Manny Wilkins, Arizona State via Ryan Wood
WR Kabion Ento, Colorado via Curtis Snyder
DB Javien Hamilton, Ole Miss via Jim Owczarski
LB Curtis Bolton III, Oklahoma via Ryan Wood
TE Davis Koppenhaver, Duke via Jim Owczarski
WR Matt Eaton, Iowa State via Tom Silverstein
QB Taylor Cornelius, Oklahoma State via Kelly Masters Mgmt
OL Larry Williams, Oklahoma State via Tom Silverstein
. . .
Tryouts/Rookie Camp invites:
QB CJ Collins, Southwestern Assemblies of God via Jim Owczarski
WR Darrius Shepherd, North Dakota State via Beth Hoole
DB Deion Harris, North Dakota via Jim Owczarski
LS Patrick Eby, Columbia via Tom Silverstein
DB Nydair Rouse, West Chester via Jim Owczarski
WR Jamarius Way, South Alabama via Jim Owczarski
-------------------
Jason is a freelance writer on staff since 2012 and also co-hosts Cheesehead TV Live, Pulse of the Pack and Pack A Day podcasts. You can follow him on Twitter here
Comments (46)
albert999
April 27, 2019 at 11:25 pm
Oklahoma State quarterback Taylor Cornelius has also agreed to a deal to join the Packers, providing another passer to compete during the team’s rookie minicamp.
Cornelius (6-6, 224) completed 288 of 486 attempts for 3,980 yards, 32 touchdowns and 13 interceptions for the Cowboys in 2018, his lone year as a starter. Oklahoma State went 7-6 in his 13 starts.
He outdueled Drew Lock in the Cowboys’ bowl game, throwing for 332 yards and four touchdown passes in the 38-33 win over Missouri in the Liberty Bowl.
At Oklahoma State’s pro day, Cornelius ran the 40-yard dash in 4.72 seconds, hit 38″ in the vertical leap and finished the three-cone drill in 7.06 seconds, proving his unique athleticism at the position.
jeepingmakooi
April 28, 2019 at 06:53 am
I read a couple reports on him after I saw gb was bringing him in... Sounds like he is the real deal for a back up... Kizer better show out
albert999
April 27, 2019 at 11:27 pm
This kid just might surprise everyone in Greenbay
Packer Dave
April 27, 2019 at 11:40 pm
I think we're gonna see more 4-3 this year. Smart play in my opinion. Our DL seems pretty stacked now. If Lancaster, Adams and now Keke come out ready to roll we have a monster rotation. I get the pressure on Gary, but if Pettine gets him singled up he will make plays.
On offense I get not taking a WR because I bet we keep 5 (Adams MVS EQ Moore and Kumerow). Then 4 TE. Our run game will get a much needed makeover, and I really hope there is a heavy dose of Danny Vitale. Look him up if you have a minute.
albert999
April 28, 2019 at 12:05 am
Vitale
very very interesting....could be the sleeper for Lafleur
Coldworld
April 28, 2019 at 08:41 am
Rumor has it that Vitale is an ideal FB type for LaFleur’s preferred usage. Of course rumor is just that and Vitale would still need to prove himself able to meet standards not just type and justify having a FB on roster, but this may explain the lack of activity (unless the FB really is a dead position after Lewis resigned, but then would have expected blocking depth addition at TE).
Tabin
April 28, 2019 at 04:08 am
They will keep 6 WR add Allison to the mix. The DL is really stacked as you say not so sure Adams makes the 53 if he does not show something more than last year.
SterlingSharpe
April 28, 2019 at 02:19 pm
GERONIMO?
Crackerpacker
April 28, 2019 at 04:15 am
Drew Lewis is signing with Texans. I think you misread the tweet you are using as your source.
PAPackerbacker
April 28, 2019 at 04:46 am
With both FA and draft picks the defense should improve over last year. Performance is the key to success. Staying health is another. The Packers had a decent draft and now it is up to the coaches to maximize their talents and skills to get the Packers back on track to a winning season. They have the tools now they need to learn how to use them. It will be fun to see who emerges and becomes the next starters for the Packers.
jeepingmakooi
April 28, 2019 at 07:16 am
Tyler Cornelius
Darius Shepard
Dion Harris
These three all sound like players.
Shepard graded out pretty high and is a pint returner Harris had a really productive last season.
PackEyedOptimist
April 28, 2019 at 07:42 am
I'm less impressed by this group of UDFA rookies than most from recent years, with the exception being Taylor Cornelius--he looks like he has real potential!
Coldworld
April 28, 2019 at 08:42 am
Nijman seems the most interesting to me.
Roadrunner23
April 28, 2019 at 07:46 am
How about a decent PR/KR
The Packers have not had a good one for years!
jeepingmakooi
April 28, 2019 at 08:13 am
Shepard is a returner. I feel like he will push Davis...
Coldworld
April 28, 2019 at 09:30 am
I hope so, but only if he can contribute somewhere else. The days of wasting a spot on a nominal WR or other position player with no upside need to be over unless we are talking all pro level returner.
P.S.
Looking him up he is a smaller slot receiver who runs around a 4.5 forty and has a history of making clutch plays and racking up yards against small school opposition as well as an impressive punt return average. As a tryout, the odds are weak but he might have more upside as a receiver than Davis and I am unaware of any other return candidate. If so, I would welcome him being added to the roster to add competition in the return game at the very least.
jeepingmakooi
April 28, 2019 at 08:52 am
From what I saw watching some stuff.. quick YouTube stuff. He wins with speed and has some shifty moves to creat his separation. Didn't see him much having to make contested catches but the few I did see he won them. I think he could be a good player
fthisJack
April 28, 2019 at 09:05 am
Davis can't be kept on the roster as only a one trick pony. he needs to show something as a receiver and with all the guys ahead of him, i doubt that happens.
mrtundra
April 29, 2019 at 08:05 am
When we drafted Davis, the scoop on him was how he has soft hands on his catches and that he was fast. That and the fact he came from Aaron Rodgers' alma mater, Cal. I do not think MM knew how to use Davis, either, just like the TE position seemed to be a non-factor for MM. Davis has, however, had ample opportunities to showcase his talents and those efforts usually came up short. Maybe some competition at his spot on the roster is what he needs. I see Allen Lazard giving him a run for his money in the upcoming training camp and preseason.
zeroluv
April 28, 2019 at 08:00 am
Guys...don’t sleep on QB Manny Wilkins Jr. he is a solid QB too. He will push hard for a spot this year. Look him up...he could be a huge sleeper as well. Boyle and Kizer should both be nervous.
aron_roger
April 28, 2019 at 08:34 am
Is it too much to ask for for the schools these players are from? It seems like this is pretty light on information relative to previous years.
jeepingmakooi
April 28, 2019 at 08:38 am
Click on the link.. and discover!
jasonperone
April 28, 2019 at 07:05 pm
Just added in each player's school and that's a fair ask. Will include it in future years. This post is almost a replica of last year's. With so much other content and areas of expertise within our writers, we spend more time/energy on the top picks. Most of these guys aren't likely to be around long and to find a full work up on them is a laborious process. Not making excuses or saying our readers aren't worth the effort, but we're just trying to fish more where the big fish are, if that makes sense?
Thanks for the feedback, jde
aron_roger
April 28, 2019 at 07:39 pm
Thanks Jason!
The schools can help to see which UDFA are worth an extra click in our modern TLDR reality.
Dzehren
April 28, 2019 at 09:54 am
Alex ingold signed with Raiders. BEAU
BENZSCHAWEL has not been signed yet. What’s up with that?
Dzehren
April 28, 2019 at 03:21 pm
Beau signed with the Lions. Ugh
mrtundra
April 29, 2019 at 08:06 am
Did TJ Edwards get signed by anyone?
porupack
April 28, 2019 at 11:05 am
Gute Grief,
I now lower my expectations on Gutekunst. His strategy is poor. Such an awful move to give up 2 4th round picks to move up, on a saftety that either would have fallen to #30, or a comparable S could be had in Rnd #2. And #30 could have acquired so much more impact player, including Cody Ford.
The pair of 4ths could have acquired another pick in late 2nd or early 3rd (Metcalf, or CB or LB).
Gute was very disappointing. He's now on red alert stage....and missed opportunities to position GB over next 2 years. Gute Grief, he blew it.
gary g
April 28, 2019 at 11:30 am
Wow. I am sure Gute won't sleep tonight knowing you feel this way. Why don't you apply for the Packer GM job. You seem to have a crystal ball to know he would have been their at 30. Even though Gute said he know other teams wanted him before the 30th pick. Give this draft class time to show what we have. It could take 2-3 years before you know how well a draft class did.
4thand10
April 28, 2019 at 12:21 pm
Man , I hope they can bring in Alex Barnes.
4thand10
April 28, 2019 at 12:29 pm
Never mind he just went UDFA to the Titans...
NoNonsense
April 28, 2019 at 01:56 pm
The QBs and Nijman look worth developing on the practice squad or otherwise.
Wilkins helped NKeal Harry become a 1st round pick so hes got some game.
MarkinMadison
April 28, 2019 at 03:39 pm
Not a single RB? That is surprising to me.
carlos
April 28, 2019 at 06:00 pm
Notice that also.
Coldworld
April 28, 2019 at 08:00 pm
Yes, surprised me too, but they did have 3 on the roster in addition to Jamaal Williams and Jones. I take it as an indication that they are keener on one or more of Kapri Biibs, Tra Carson and Lavon Coleman than we have appreciated.
That got me thinking. During last season Gute actively acquired back end/PS depth at a number of positions. One we’ve discussed before is Nico Siragusa, a 4th round Guard derailed by injury but now healthy. He has been forgotten in the draft excitement but is a legitimate candidate to earn a roster and even a starting spot on paper. In addition to the RBs mentioned above, there are also two TEs Bayliss and Malcom-I could go on to list others that arrived in season or afterwards but won’t here.
In the past TT hung on to players forever, so we seldom considered any of these PS/futures types that weren’t high picks or camp warriors from the prior year. With Gute’s different approach, that may be an oversight we need to correct, at least in some cases. As of now, only bringing in one RB would seem to suggest RB might be such a case.
IceBowl
April 30, 2019 at 02:09 pm
Coldworld,
just an update, Nico Siragusa was cut.
Johnblood27
April 28, 2019 at 09:22 pm
So, Maybe it is just a vintage (year) thing, but I notice a real drop off in Pac-12 draftees and UDFA's.
I guess the west coast voice is either gone or earning a bit less respect with Hendrickson on board.
I am glad to see more players from the heartland. Too many softees from the left coast in GBP recent past for me.
greengold
April 30, 2019 at 12:57 pm
Packers Steals of UDFA/Invitee Class:
CB Nate Brooks North Texas
Brooks ranked eighth among draft-eligible cornerbacks in overall grade (88.2) and 10th in coverage grade (87.2) in 2018. He also allowed just a 61.0 passer rating when targeted despite seeing a whopping 110 targets thrown his way on the year.
DB Deion Harris *6-3 202 North Dakota
Tough, aggressive cornerback with good size. Breaks down well, jams opponents at the line of scrimmage to slow their release and stays with assignments. Quickly flips his hips in transition, nicely tracks the pass in the air and possesses good hands for the interception. Tough run defender who fires up the field and wraps up tackling. Returned 3 of 5 INTs for TD.
Harris may not be a household name, but he has been phenomenally productive during his career with the FCS Fighting Sioux. This past season, the 6-foot-3, 180-pounder logged 36 tackles, 14 passes defended and five interceptions. That quintet of picks were tops in the Big Sky conference. Harris returned three of those picks for touchdowns -- most in the FCS last season. All of this fine work earned him first-team All-Big Sky recognition.
OT Yosuah Nijman Virginia Tech 6-7 324 34” arms 10” hands
Experience at LT 2017 & RT 2018
Earning a 75.7 pass-blocking grade in 2018, Nijman allowed just 12 total pressures (10 hurries, one hit, one sack) across his 334 pass-blocking snaps with Virginia Tech.
LB Curtis Boltin Oklahoma
Bolton’s ability to rush the passer was evident during nearly every game this season, increasing his pass-rushing snaps in each of his last five games. In total, he brought down five sacks, eight QB hits and an additional 11 hurries, and he was no slouch when he dropped back in coverage.
His fluidity in space and knack as a blitzer could earn him a legitimate shot as a 4-3 backup WILL linebacker who could become one of the steals of the late rounds.
IceBowl
April 30, 2019 at 12:41 pm
greengold,
Nice info, thanks for the info (and work)
greengold
April 30, 2019 at 12:51 pm
Pleasure to share. I’m totally impressed with our scouting and personnel depts. Gutey looks to have this team ready in terms of talent, and I mean READY. Now, it’s up to our coaching staff to get the most out of everybody, and guide us to our goal of walking a few more Lombardi Trophies back into 1265...!
greengold
April 30, 2019 at 12:59 pm
Yosh Nijman is a stud who simply needs development on his footwork and hands. Phenomenal UDFA signing by Gutey.
The two CBs look like great adds as well, and much needed, depending on how well King holds up.
WR/KR Darrius Shepherd (I) North Dakota St. 5-11 188
2018 season posted 10th best yds per route run since 2014
Small-school slot wide receiver Shepherd was our second-highest-graded wide receiver in 2018 but wasn’t invited to the NFL Combine.
Shepherd seems like he could be a nice surprise.
greengold
April 30, 2019 at 12:02 pm
Culled the best info I could on these guys from multiple sources. I agree w others on the QBs added after the draft, and on R7 pick Ty Summers, who joins what now looks to be a competitive ILB group with 4.51 speed.
I LOVE this draft. Savage was my top prize. Gary, after initially freaking out, could prove a true steal as well. I mean, EPIC steal. Jenkins could easily project to Pro Bowl and was arguably the best and most versatile OG/C in 2019 draft. Sternberger had BEST rated hands of entire TE class, and is a more complete player with great value R3. Hollman is a wildcard, but, could prove extremely valuable, and Dexter Williams was a surprisingly NFL ready 3 down back at R6.
greengold
April 30, 2019 at 12:08 pm
Been studying drafts since 1995 with a passion. This looks like the most complete collection of additions that I can recall, ever. Especially with a FA class of additions like I’ve never seen before.
Gutey has earned my respect wholeheartedly. I’m very excited about what this team can do for a number of years.
greengold
April 30, 2019 at 12:15 pm
How were Brooks, Harris & Nijman NOT drafted? WOW. Absolute STEALS for Green Bay post draft. Nice work, Packers.
greengold
April 30, 2019 at 12:24 pm
I anticipate sweeping changes at the bottom of our roster, with quite possibly 5 or more post draft signees making this 2019 Packers roster/PS. That is GREAT depth. Much needed.
greengold
April 30, 2019 at 12:47 pm
QB Taylor Cornelius
CB Nate Brooks
OT Yosh Nijman
DB Deion Harris
LB Curtis Boltin
WR/KR Darrius Shepherd
I can see all 6 of these players making our 53 man Roster/PS