Green Bay Packers: 10 Undrafted Free Agents the Packers Might Look at
Not Finished Yet: 10 Undrafted Free Agents The Green Bay Packers Might Look at
As we've learned with Packers GM Ted Thompson, his work is far from done once the NFL draft is complete.
In fact, Thompson does some of his best work once he's finished making his allotted draft picks.
Of course, we're talking about undrafted free agents. Just last year, Thompson signed cornerback Sam Shields and linebacker Frank Zombo after the draft, and those two wound up being important contributors on a championship defense.
What will Thompson do for an encore? Here's 10 guys the Packers might take a look at once undrafted free agents can be signed.
WR Jarred Fayson, Illinois
1 of 10
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 210 pounds
40-yard dash: 4.38 seconds
Why the Packers would look at Fayson
The Packers took a chance on an underachieving speedster in 2010, and that player—cornerback Sam Shields—seemed to work out alright.
Thompson might be willing to give Fayson a similar chance. A former 5-star recruit out of high school, Fayson bounced around from Florida to Illinois and never got comfortable within his role at either school.
If the Packers can harness his offensive capabilities, Fayson could be a game-changer on offense and another free agent gem for Thompson.
S Anthony Walters, Delaware
2 of 10
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 205
40-yard dash: 4.52
Why the Packers would look at Walters
Walters is a former cornerback who looks like he's better suited to be a NFL safety.
The Packers like that versatility, and it could also make Walters an option to be the long-term answer for what Charles Woodson brings Dom Capers' defense.
That's maybe a stretch for an undrafted free agent, but the Packers have had their eye on Walters throughout the draft process.
OLB Marc Schiechl, Colorado School of Mines
3 of 10
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 255 pounds
40-yard dash: 4.65 seconds
Why the Packers would look at Schiechl
While he obviously played against weaker competition, Schiechl wrecked havoc against opposing quarterbacks. He finished his career with 46 sacks and 76 tackles for losses.
Schiechl will need to learn to play outside linebacker, and there should be an adjustment period talent-wise, but there's no denying his innate ability to rush the passer.
He's worth the chance at developing for the Packers.
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DE Cedric Thornton, Southern Arkansas
4 of 10
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 309
40-yard dash: 5.25 seconds
Why the Packers would look at Thornton
With his performance at the Senior Bowl, Thornton was a likely candidate to be a mid-to-late round prospect. He stuck right with big-school prospects and didn't look overmatched.
Still, all 254 picks came and went without Thornton's name being called.
With the Packers looking to replenish talent along the defensive line, giving Thornton a shot as an undrafted free agent seems like a possibility.
DE Martin Parker, Richmond
5 of 10
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 303 pounds
40-yard dash: 4.95 seconds
Why the Packers would look at Parker
Like Thornton, I was surprised to see Parker go undrafted.
He dominated the East-West Shrine game, and Parker was also a productive player throughout his time at Richmond.
I'd be shocked if the Packers didn't bring in a few undrafted free agents along the defensive line. Parker's name should be among the ones Thompson considers.
S Joseph Lefeged, Rutgers
6 of 10
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 210 pounds
40-yard dash: 4.42 seconds
Why the Packers would look at Lefeged
Lefeged was one of the more surprising names to go undrafted.
He ran a solid time at the combine, was a semifinalist for the Thorpe Award in 2010 and can be an asset on special teams.
If signed, Lefeged could provide the Packers depth at safety and a quality football player willing to make his impact on special teams.
ILB Nick Bellore, Central Michigan
7 of 10
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 245 pounds
40-yard dash: 4.84 seconds
Why the Packers would look at Bellore
His production would be the first thing that gives Bellore a look from the Packers.
He was a tackling machine at Central Michigan, tallying almost 500 tackles over four years for the Chippewas.
Bellore certainly isn't an athletic specimen, but the Whitefish Bay, WI native fits what the Packers do at inside linebacker.
OT Willie Smith, East Carolina
8 of 10
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 310 pounds
40-yard dash: 5.40 seconds
Why the Packers would look at Smith
Smith is only starting to scratch the ceiling of his potential.
He started his collegiate career on the defensive line, moved to tight end after his freshman year then ended up sticking at left tackle. Smith started his final 27 games at that position.
He's raw, and needs to learn the position better, but the potential Smith possesses makes him a free agent candidate.
WR Armon Binns, Cincinnati
9 of 10
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 210 pounds
40-yard dash: 4.50 seconds
Why the Packers would look at Binns
While the Packers drafted Randall Cobb, he's not the same type of receiver that James Jones is.
If Jones does in fact leave during free agency, Binns could be a candidate to replace him. He has a similar body type, and Binns was a productive receiver at Cincinnati.
At the very least, Binns could be brought in to give competition for the Packers' No. 5 receiver slot.
RB Graig Cooper, Miami
10 of 10
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 205 pounds
40-yard dash: 4.60 seconds
Why the Packers would look at Cooper
I've liked what Cooper could bring to the Packers for awhile, but it seems they've drafted an almost identical player in Alex Green of Hawaii.
That doesn't mean the Packers won't take a look at Cooper.
He's a productive special teams player, and the Packers like bringing in competition at the running back position for training camp.
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