3 hidden gem Packers players that the rest of the NFL is going to learn about this summer
Nobody has had more draft picks over the last few years than the Green Bay Packers. General manager Brian Gutekunst has been smart to add more darts to throw, and it has generated one of the deepest and most solid rosters in the NFL. That's good for the team, but it creates a tough situation […]
Nobody has had more draft picks over the last few years than the Green Bay Packers. General manager Brian Gutekunst has been smart to add more darts to throw, and it has generated one of the deepest and most solid rosters in the NFL. That's good for the team, but it creates a tough situation for the bottom of the roster, because it's truly hard for undrafted players or future signings to make the 53-man roster.
This exercise is not necessarily to see who will ascend in 2025 to make the Packers a Super Bowl team. The idea is to bring to light some players who can rise and have some type of role this season and/or beyond, be it on the active roster or on the practice squad. That's what the preseason ultimately is for.
These are the three players a lot of people (even Packers fans) don't know, and that could have a strong summer in Green Bay.
G Donovan Jennings
Jennings was one of those surprising undrafted players last year, and the Packers were happy to sign him right after the draft. He spent his entire rookie season on the practice squad and signed a future deal right after the season.
During OTAs, the first-year player (because he did not accrue a season in 2024) ascended to the second unit. At the mandatory minicamp, Jennings even practiced with the ones at left guard because starter Aaron Banks, a free agent addition, was with the rehab group.
A talented player, he even got drafted by the San Antonio Brahmas in the UFL. Playing for the Packers, though, was an obvious choice.
This is how Dane Brugler described him in last year's version of The Beast.
"Jennings is quick out of his stance and looks comfortable on the move to reach/cut in zone. In the run game, he has only average power and grit. With his lack of length, he is a strong candidate to move inside (96.2 percent of his college snaps came at left tackle, but he looked solid at guard during Shrine Bowl practices). Overall, Jennings displays enough foot quickness and hip flexibility in pass protection, but he must refine his hand placement to establish leverage and strengthen his anchor to match up in the NFL." — Dane Brugler
RB Amar Johnson
Full disclosure, Johnson will have a hard time making the 53-man roster because the depth is so good. Beyond Josh Jacobs, the Packers have last year's third-round pick MarShawn Lloyd returning from injury, plus Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks, who had solid backup seasons in 2024.
But Johnson is everything you would want from an undrafted rookie. He has the physical talent, is a fluid mover, and brings value as a pass protector.
"He has fluid hips and a low center of gravity for tighter turns but his vision is average. Same goes for his timing to accelerate and race past the defensive front. While he hasn’t been much of a pass-catcher, he can protect the quarterback and has returned kicks during his career." — Lance Zierlein.
Head coach Matt LaFleur said that 95% of the team plays during unpadded practices are passing plays, so it's hard to measure any type of impact from backs during OTAs and minicamp. However, training camp and the preseason will be great opportunities for Johnson to show his value and fight for at least a practice squad spot.
WR Cornelius Johnson
A seventh-round pick from the Los Angeles Chargers last year, Johnson spent most of his rookie year on the Packers' practice squad. And he is one of the most Packers-y receivers on the roster. Johnson is 6-2, 212 pounds, with a 9.9 Relative Athletic Score. Elite explosiveness, elite size, elite speed.
Again, the competition to make the roster is strong, but Johnson has done everything he can to make a positive impact. During minicamp, he played primarily with the twos, and was a solid presence to backup quarterback Malik Willis. Still pretty young at 24, he played a lot of football in college after five seasons (and 61 games) at Michigan.
Packers may already have the perfect emergency option on offense, and he’s an ascending piece with real breakout potential
Jacob Monk had most reps at center with the ones
