While Nazir Stackhouse and Jamon Johnson were higher rated in the draft process, cornerbacks have an easier path to a roster spot.
The Green Bay Packers have had at least one undrafted rookie make their Week 1 roster every year since Ted Thompson took over the team in 2005. Last year, it was kicker Brayden Narveson, who was picked up off waivers via the Tennessee Titans, who kept the streak alive.
Here’s the 20-year history of the Packers’ rookie UDFAs who have made Green Bay’s opening day roster:
- 2024: K Brayden Narveson
- 2023: RB Emanuel Wilson, WR Malik Heath and DE Brenton Cox Jr.
- 2022: LS Jake Coco
- 2021: DE Jack Heflin
- 2020: LB Krys Barnes
- 2019: WR Darius Shepherd
- 2018: QB Tim Boyle, OL Alex Light, OLB James Crawford and S Raven Greene
- 2017: CB Lenzy Pipkins
- 2016: QB Joe Callahan, CB Josh Hawkins, S Marwin Evans and S Kentrell Brice
- 2015: RB Alonzo Harris and CB LaDarius Gunter
- 2014: DT Mike Pennel and OLB Jayrone Elliott
- 2013: OL Lane Taylor and OLB Andy Mulumba
- 2012: WR Jarrett Boykin and OL Don Barclay
- 2011: OLB Vic So’oto, ILB Jamari Lattimore and S M.D. Jennings
- 2010: OL Nick McDonald, OLB Frank Zombo and CB Sam Shields
- 2009: OL Evan Dietrich-Smith
- 2008: RB Kregg Lumpkin
- 2007: DT Daniel Muir
- 2006: DE Jason Hunter
- 2005: OL Chris White and LB Roy Manning
To say the least, it’s been a mixed bag of results for undrafted rookies in Green Bay, which should have been expected. But as far as 2025 undrafted rookies go, who has a good chance at making the team? Let’s dive into the candidates.
Green Bay Packers’ undrafted rookies
- QB Taylor Elgersma, Wilfrid Laurier (Canada) — post-rookie minicamp signing
Measurables: 6’5”, 227 pounds, 40 time: n/a
- RB Amar Johnson, South Dakota State (FCS)
Measurables: 5’10”, 205 pounds, 40 time: 4.41 seconds
- RB Jalen White, Georgia Southern
Measurables: 6’0”, 205 pounds, 40 time: 4.60 seconds
- WR Sam Brown Jr., Miami/Houston/West Virginia — post-rookie minicamp signing
Measurables: 6’2”, 200 pounds, 40 time: 4.44 seconds
- OL Tyler Cooper, Minnesota
Measurables: 6’5”, 302 pounds, 40 time: 5.18 seconds
- OL J.J. Lippe, Northern Illinois
Measurables: 6’5”, 302 pounds, 40 time: 5.48 seconds
- OL Brant Banks, Rice/Nebraska
Measurables: 6’7”, 306 pounds, 40 time: n/a
- DT Nazir Stackhouse, Georgia
Measurables: 6’4”, 327 pounds, 40 time: 5.15 seconds
- LB Jamon Johnson, Kentucky/Georgia
Measurables: 6’1”, 238 pounds, 40 time: n/a
- CB Tyron Herring, Delaware (FCS)/Dartmouth (FCS)
Measurables: 6’1”, 201 pounds, 40 time: 4.52 seconds
- CB Johnathan Baldwin, UNLV
Measurables: 6’0”, 190 pounds, 40 time: 4.53 seconds
- S Kahzir Brown, Florida Atlantic/Maine (FCS)
Measurables: 6’1”, 223 pounds, 40 time: 4.54 seconds
Personally, I think it’s going to be much easier to make the roster on the defensive side of the ball than the offensive side of the ball this year, considering how much the offense returns. The Packers also picked offensive players with their first three selections in the 2025 draft and followed that up with three selections with line of scrimmage defenders, making seventh-round cornerback Micah Robinson the only off-ball rookie defender that the team picked in the draft.
As far as the defenders go, the two most interesting players to me are Nazir Stackhouse and Jamon Johnson, two former Georgia Bulldogs. Stackhouse will not only have to beat out draft pick Warren Brinson, another former teammate, for a 53-man roster spot, but the Packers have been using Colby Wooden as Kenny Clark’s backup nose tackle this summer. At linebacker, Johnson will have to jump over two of Ty’Ron Hopper, Isaiah Simmons and Kristian Welch to make Green Bay’s initial roster.
Because of that, it might be easier for the defensive backs, who were lower-rated players coming out of the draft process, to make the roster. Our options here are Tyron Herring, a true cornerback, Johnathan Baldwin, who played the slot at UNLV, and Kahzir Brown, a college cornerback moving to safety due to his 223-pound frame.
Cornerback should be an easier path than safety, as only three cornerbacks have playing experience for the Packers on the defensive side of the ball. At the same time, Green Bay returns five safeties who played for them last year.
All things considered, give me one of Herring or Baldwin to have the best opportunity to make this team, simply because their positions give them the highest chance to rise up the Packers’ ranks.
Who do you think makes the team, if anyone? Drop your thoughts into the comment section below.