Rookie, Undrafted Free Agent Watch for Green Bay Packers Training Camp

As one of the teams most reliant on drafting and developing their talent, the Green Bay Packers annually put vast importance on the incoming class of rookie players. 

As the Packers approach training camp, the 2013 season appears to be no different. 

General manager Ted Thompson spent top picks on Datone Jones and Eddie Lacy, and each player will be expected to help fill a major hole on the Packers roster. At some point, all 11 draft picks and one or two undrafted free agents will be asked to contribute to present or future Packer teams. 

In the following slides, we'll revisit the Packers' rookie class in 2013 and present a profile for each player ahead of their first career NFL training camp. 

DE Datone Jones

• College: UCLA
• Draft Status: First Round
• Height: 6'4"
• Weight: 285 lbs.
• College Production: 36.5 tackles for losses, 12.5 sacks

Analysis

The Packers satisfied one of their top needs by taking Jones, a lengthy, playmaking defensive end who has experience playing the 5-technique in the 3-4 defense. His collegiate past playing in the three-man front should allow Jones to be an instant contributor for Dom Capers' defense.

The Packers need Jones to be a stud right away, as the defense has received minimal production from the defensive end position since Cullen Jenkins walked away as a free agent in 2011. In a perfect world, Jones becomes a Week 1 starter, totals four or five sacks on the season and help shore up the run defense.

RB Eddie Lacy

• College: Alabama
• Draft Status: Second round
• Height: 5'11"
• Weight: 230 lbs.
• College Production: 2,402 rushing yards, 30 touchdowns

Analysis

The Packers haven't had a talent at running back like Lacy since the days of Ahman Green.

A 230-pound battering ram, Lacy can also create with foot quickness and one of the prettiest spin moves you'll see. He certainly wasn't just a product of the elite offensive line he ran behind (see games vs. Georgia, Notre Dame).

Now in Green Bay, Lacy will be expected to revive a running game that failed the Packers for long stretches in 2012. He'll see seven-man fronts with Aaron Rodgers throwing the football, and the idea is that the threat of a back like Lacy will pull defenses out of the two-deep shell that kept a lid on the Packers offense last season.

He has competition for carries, but it would be a surprise if Lacy isn't the primary ball-carrier at some point in 2013.

OT David Bakhtiari

• College: Colorado
• Draft Status: Fourth round
• Height: 6'4"
• Weight: 300 lbs.
• College Production: Two-time second team All-Pac 12

Analysis

The Packers allowed 51 sacks of Aaron Rodgers last season, so it came as no surprise when Ted Thompson used an early pick to help the offensive line.

Bakhtiari appears to have a future at left tackle, where the Packers have uncertain depth. More than likely, he will receive the chance to sit and learn behind a player like Bryan Bulaga as a rookie. It would come as a surprise if the fourth-rounder ever became a real player in the right tackle competition.

This was a pick for the future, not the present. 

OL J.C. Tretter

• College: Cornell
• Draft Status: Fourth round
• Height: 6'4"
• Weight: 307 lbs.
• College Production: First-team All-Ivy League in 2012, 20-game starter at left tackle

Analysis

Any hope for Tretter contributing in 2013—even as an important backup—was likely squandered when the rookie suffered a lower leg injury during a May camp. It's entirely possible Tretter will now end up on season-ending injured reserve. Down the road, Tretter figures to have potential as an interior offensive lineman, and even at center.

RB Johnathan Franklin

• College: UCLA
• Draft Status: Fourth round
• Height: 5'10"
• Weight: 205 lbs.
• College Production: 4,403 rushing yards, 31 touchdowns

Analysis

If Eddie Lacy was a value pick in the second round, Franklin was a steal towards the end of the fourth.

An explosive, shifty runner who plays bigger than his frame, Franklin reminds one of a young Frank Gore. The Packers won't expect that kind of impact right away, but there's no reason why Franklin can't contribute to the team's wide-open offense as a rookie. He'll also get a chance to replace on Randall Cobb on punt returns, where Franklin could be a real asset.

For the first time in a long time, there's tangible optimism toward the Packers' running back situation. 

CB Micah Hyde

• College: Iowa
• Draft Status: Fifth round
• Height: 6'0"
• Weight: 197 lbs.
• College Production: Seven interceptions, 36 passes defensed, 5.5 tackles for losses

Analysis

Considering the Packers depth and talent at cornerback, the selection of Hyde came as an early surprise. But it's now easier to see what Green Bay might have in store for the versatile secondary man.

Hyde was instinctive and productive while covering the slot in college, and he figures to be an instant contributor on special teams, both as a cover man and potential returner. Down the line, Hyde might make a player like Jarrett Bush expendable.

At least for now, he'll make his biggest mark on special teams. 

DL Josh Boyd

• College: Mississippi State
• Draft Status: Fifth round 
• Height: 6'3"
• Weight: 310 lbs.
• College Production: 18.0 tackles for losses, 8.5 sacks

Analysis

The Packers have ample depth along the defensive line in the short term, but the long-term outlook is a different story.

Free agency next spring could rob Green Bay of a significant portion of their defensive line, which where Boyd comes into play. As a rookie, Boyd could carve out a place in the DL rotation, especially with Jerel Worthy still recovering from ACL surgery.

By 2014, Boyd's playing time could increase significantly. He has the look of a run-stuffer with more playmaking potential than a player like C.J. Wilson. 

OLB Nate Palmer

• College: Illinois State
• Draft Status: Sixth round
• Height: 6'2"
• Weight: 248 lbs.
• College Production: 25.5 tackles for losses, 17 sacks

Analysis

Losing free agents Erik Walden (to Indianapolis) and Frank Zombo (to Kansas City) created an obvious hole for the Packers to fill at outside linebacker.

Green Bay picked Palmer in the sixth round to do just that, and he'll now be under the tutelage of outside linebackers coach Kevin Greene. In an ideal scenario, Palmer sits on the bench as a rookie and learns how to play the position.

The Packers hope to avoid injuries to either Clay Matthews or Nick Perry, especially given Palmer's inexperience. 

WR Charles Johnson

• College: Grand Valley State
• Draft Status: Seventh round
• Height: 6'2"
• Weight: 215 lbs. 
• College Production: 128 receptions, 2,229 yards, 35 touchdowns

Analysis

Johnson may hail from small-school Grand Valley State, but it's difficult to not be intrigued by his combination of size and athleticism. Standing 6'2" and weighing 215 pounds, Johnson ran in the 4.3-second range in the 40-yard dash and has a 39.5-inch vertical leap. He'll have a big adjustment to make while transitioning to the NFL, but the measurables will make Johnson worth developing. The Packers haven't had a field-stretching athlete with Johnson's speed and size in some time. 

WR Kevin Dorsey

• College: Maryland
• Draft Status: Seventh round
• Height: 6'1"
• Weight: 207 lbs.
• College Production: 80 receptions, 1,092 yards, eight touchdowns 

Analysis

In drafting Dorsey, the Packers made it clear their intention to find a field-stretching receiver. While dealing with a number of quarterback issues at Maryland, Dorsey mostly flew under the radar during the pre-draft process. However, he has good size and can run (4.47 seconds in 40-yard dash). The Packers have a number of young receivers competing for the bottom-of-the-depth-chart spots, but Dorsey has the physical skills to win one of them.

At the very least, Dorsey is a candidate to land on the practice squad. 

LB Sam Barrington

• College: South Florida 
• Draft Status: Seventh round
• Height: 6'1"
• Weight: 235 lbs.
• College Production: 258 tackles, 21.5 tackles for losses, 6.5 sacks

Analysis

The Packers lost quality depth at inside linebacker when the team released both Desmond Bishop and D.J. Smith this offseason. However, Barrington's presence might be one reason why Green Bay was comfortable letting Bishop go following the draft.

Barrington is a rangy athlete who provides some pass-rushing ability and versatility. The Packers will now hope the rookie can fill the void as a quality backup behind starters A.J. Hawk and Brad Jones. 

Undrafted Free Agents

Undrafted free agents

FB Jonathan Amosa, QB Matt Brown, S David Fulton, WR Alex Gillett, C Patrick Lewis, OLB Andy Mulumba, RB Angelo Pease, DL Gilbert Pena, LB Jarvis Reed, LB Donte Savage, WR Terrell Sinkfield, TE Jake Stoneburner, G Lane Taylor, WR Tyrone Walker, WR Myles White

Analysis

Green Bay has annually been one a landing spot for undrafted free agents, and it certainly wouldn't be a surprise if one or two made the 2013 team. 

A quick glance at the undrafted list would present Mulumba (depth needed at OLB), Stoneburner (uncertainty behind Jermichael Finley at TE) and Taylor (because of the injury to offensive lineman J.C. Tretter) as the most likely candidates to make the Packers 53-man roster.

These three would each seem to have a golden opportunity to make the roster. Brown could land on the practice squad if Graham Harrell is eventually cut, while White and Walker are intriguing options at receiver. Lewis, an experienced center from Texas A&M, might be a dark-horse candidate to win a spot as a backup behind Evan Dietrich-Smith.