Packers are giving rookies one final opportunity to strengthen their cases before training camp arrives
Green Bay will have the last series of offseason practices next week, but it won’t include the full 90-man roster this time around.
The Green Bay Packers had mandatory minicamp this week, sandwiched by their voluntary organized team activities. They had two weeks of OTAs prior to minicamp, and will have the final one next week. The last one, though, will look very different.
The coaching staff build the team’s schedule in a way to maximize practice efficiency. So, after three weeks of work with the entire roster, the final OTA practices will only include rookie players. Head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed that will be the approach.
Extra opportunity to show their work
Some rookies had a real role from the get go, even with the entire roster on display. Interior offensive lineman Jager Burton practiced mostly with the ones. First, rotating with Anthony Belton at right guard (Belton moved to right tackle to Darian Kinnard’s spot). Defensive tackle Chris McClellan also had significant time with the starters.
With veterans out of the way, though, every rookie on the roster will have more time to show their abilities to the staff. But because the Packers only made six draft picks this year, undrafted rookies will have an even more impactful opportunity than they usually do in Green Bay.
Rookies on the Packers’ 90-man roster
List includes draft picks and undrafted players
- QB Kyron Drones
- RB Jaden Nixon
- WR J. Michael Sturdivant
- TE RJ Maryland
- IOL Jager Burton
- G Dillon Wade
- G Dylan Barrett
- G Josh Gesky
- DT Chris McClellan
- EDGE Dani Dennis-Sutton
- EDGE Nyjalik Kelly
- LB TJ Quinn
- CB Brandon Cisse
- CB Domani Jackson
- CB Marlon Jones
- S Murvin Kenion
- K Trey Smack
Group of experienced players
The Packers currently have 17 rookies on their 90-man roster. It’s not clear at the moment if the final week of OTAs will actually have only these 17 players or will include more pieces.
During rookie minicamp, for example, Green Bay included players with NFL experience but zero or one accrued seasons. The extra group had quarterback Kyle McCord, running back Damien Martinez, safety Johnathan Baldwin, safety Mark Perry, tight end Drake Dabney, defensive tackle Anthony Campbell, guard Karsen Barnhart, edge defender Dante Barnett, tackle Dalton Cooper, wide receiver Isaiah Neyor, wide receiver Jakobie Keeney-James, and defensive tackle James Ester. It would make sense to also give more practice time for these pieces.
Curiously, the Packers also had veteran receiver Chase Claypool in for a tryout during rookie minicamp. Ultimately, though, Green Bay opted not to sign him to the active roster.