After making 11 selections during the 2024 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers announced that they’ve agreed to terms with eight undrafted rookies as well.
Those final eight additions should put the Packers at maximum roster capacity. They entered the draft with 72 players under contract, added 11 in the draft, and then eight in undrafted free agency, giving them a total of 91 players, which they are permitted to have with Kenneth Odumegwu as an International Pathway roster exemption.
Here is a quick breakdown of each of the Packers’ eight UDFA additions with what you need to know:
Wisconsin long snapper Peter Bowden (47) and punter Gavin Meyers (28) are shown before their game against Illinois State Saturday, September 3, 2022 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis.MARK HOFFMAN/MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL
Dane Brugler’s ranking: No. 1 long-snapper
Breakdown: Bowden appeared in 39 games over the last three seasons for Wisconsin and was the Badgers’ long-snapper for all special teams needs over the last two years. He was a semifinalist for the Patrick Mannelly Award in 2022 and a finalist in 2023. Bowden provides some real competition for current long-snapper Matt Orzech, who battled ups and downs in 2023.
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – SEPTEMBER 18: Blake Corum #2 of the Michigan Wolverines tries to get around the tackle of Nick Rattin #38 and James Ester #1 of the Northern Illinois Huskies during a first half run at Michigan Stadium on September 18, 2021 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Dane Brugler’s ranking: 34th defensive lineman
Breakdown: Ester is a bit on the lighter side at 293 but held up well against the run, ranking 23rd among all interior defenders in 2023 in run-stop rate. He played 2,059 career snaps, most of which came as a 3-tech, but he does have experience lining up outwide at edge rusher as well. As a pass rusher over the last two seasons, he recorded 46 pressures and seven sacks.
Jan 8, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) runs the ball against Washington Huskies linebacker Ralen Goforth (10) during the third quarter in the 2024 College Football Playoff national championship game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dane Brugler’s ranking: 93rd linebacker
Breakdown: An off-ball linebacker with good speed and agility testing, Goforth fits the mold of the type of player that the Packers added to linebacker in the draft. NFL Draft Bible called Goforth a “hard-hitting” linebacker with a “ton of pop” and “blitzing ability.” He would also play 452 career special teams snaps across multiple phases.
Alcorn State running back Jarveon Howard (0) gets taken down by Jackson State linebacker Jurriente Davis (32) during play at the Jack Spinks Football Stadium in Lorman, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022.
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Dane Brugler’s ranking: 38th running back
Breakdown: Similarly to Josh Jacobs and Marshawn Lloyd, Howard is a more compact running back at 5-10 and 215 pounds. The 2022 season was his most productive, totaling 1,239 rushing yards at 5.0 yards per carry with 12 scores. That season, Howard ranked 20th among FCS running backs in yards after contact. This past year, he still averaged 5.0 yards per carry and scored seven touchdowns. Howard caught 54 career targets, 36 of which came in 2023, averaging 6.6 yards per catch.
Sep 9, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; South Florida Bulls offensive line Donovan Jennings (73) celebrates a touchdown against Florida A&M Rattlers during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-USA TODAY Sports
Dane Brugler’s ranking: 30th guard
Breakdown: A Packers offensive lineman, if there ever was one. Jennings is a very good athlete, posting a RAS of 8.93 (9.65 at guard), and is versatile. Although he is projected as a guard in the NFL, over 3,100 of his college snaps came at left tackle. Jennings had four seasons with a PFF pass-block grade over 70.0. Given that the Packers entered the draft with little interior depth, Jennings has as good of a chance as any UDFA to make the final roster.
What Brugler had to say: “Donovan Jennings was born and raised in Tampa, where he lived with his mother and four siblings. He lettered in basketball and football at Gaither High and earned All-State honors as a senior left tackle in 2017, helping Gaither to the 7A state playoffs. A three-star recruit, he signed with South Florida, where he saw immediate reps at left tackle. Despite missing some time with injuries, he set a school record with 55 games played over his six seasons. 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.”
Jan 6, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Michigan Wolverines offensive lineman Trente Jones (53) do drills during a practice session before the College Football Playoff national championship game against the Washington Huskies at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dane Brugler’s ranking: 24th guard
Breakdown: A relatively inexperienced player with fewer than 1,000 career snaps, like Jennings, Jones is projected as a guard in the NFL but played most of his college snaps at right tackle and has some left tackle experience as well. As we all know, that is a very common trait of Packers’ interior offensive linemen. Jones allowed three sacks and nine pressures during his final two seasons and graded out well by PFF’s metrics as a run blocker.
What Brugler had to say: “Trente Jones grew up in Tennessee before moving to Georgia, where he played both ways at Grayson High. He started at right tackle and led the team to a 20-5 record over his final two seasons. A four-star recruit, he was the highest-ranked offensive lineman in Jim Harbaugh’s 2019 class. With just 839 career offensive snaps (Trevor Keegan had 836 in 2023 alone), Jones spent most of his career as a sixth offensive lineman — but played well when needed, including starting at right tackle in the final three games (post-Zak Zinter injury) of Michigan’s 2023 title run. He moves with functional quickness and lower-body flexibility, although his anchor is inconsistent. He must learn to play with tighter hands and better poise and blocking angles. Overall, Jones is very average across the board, and NFL talent will feast on his inexperience, but he is a strong practice-squad candidate for a team that sees his development potential.”
Dec 30, 2022; Tucson, AZ, USA; Ohio Bobcats defensive tackle Rodney Mathews (55) against the Wyoming Cowboys during the 2022 Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dane Brugler’s ranking: 45th defensive tackle
Breakdown: Mathews is listed at 6-2 and 310 pounds and spent most of his snaps lined up at 3-tech this past season. He recorded 14 pressures and graded out decently against the run. The additions of Mathews and Ester provide some needed depth along the interior defensive line. After the five interior defenders on the Packers’ depth chart who played last season, Jonathan Ford was the only other player on the roster prior to the draft.
Oct 7, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils tight end Messiah Swinson (80) against the Colorado Buffaloes at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dane Brugler’s ranking: 34th tight end
Breakdown: Swinson is listed at 6-8 and 255 pounds. He had only 42 targets during his four-year career, averaging 11.3 yards per catch with two scores. Nearly one-third of his career snaps came from the slot, but Swinson was more often asked to block. He graded out better in 2022 than 2023 at PFF. He adds depth for the summer to a position group that had only five players on the roster before the draft.
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