Green Bay Packers: Scouting Report on UDFA WR Darrell Stewart

Darrell Stewart was the only rookie WR the Green Bay Packers brought in this offseason. Here is what he and one draft analyst have to say about his game.

After an underwhelming 2019 performance from the Green Bay Packers’ receiving corps not named Davante Adams or Allen Lazard, the topic of conversation among many this offseason revolved around which receiver they would target in free agency or in the draft.

With limited spending power this offseason, the Packers would sign Devin Funchess to a one year – $2.5 million deal.  However, after spending a majority of the 2019 season on IR, it remains to be seen how effective he will truly be this season.

But with a loaded draft class, nobody was too concerned about the lack of a big signing in free agency. Green Bay was sure to land a difference-maker early on in the draft. Except they didn’t.

Somehow the Packers went all seven-rounds and nine picks without taking a receiver. Showing that they are all in with the current group that they have.

Although Green Bay wouldn’t formally select a receiver in the draft, they did add rookie Darrell Stewart of Michigan State as one of their 15 undrafted free agent signings.

While the Packers may be lacking a true No. 2 option for Aaron Rodgers, this is still a fairly deep wide receiver unit with a number of players who have made plays at the NFL level. Add in the fact that this season it looks like we will be seeing more two wide receiver sets, and making the final 53-man roster for Stewart is certainly going to be challenging.

With that said, last season Geronimo Allison was the primary slot receiver on this team, however, he struggled with drops and he wasn’t very dynamic with the ball in his hands. At the moment, Green Bay doesn’t have a true slot receiver, although that isn’t necessarily an important part of the Matt LaFleur offense. In 2020 we will see Adams, Allen Lazard, Jace Sternberger, Aaron Jones, and others all line up there.

However, with Stewart’s skill-set out of the slot, where he played nearly 80 percent of his snaps last season according to Pro Football Focus, it does open the door for him to make the practice squad.

Coming out of Michigan State, Stewart is an experienced player having appeared in 43 games in his career. He would total 1,640 yards with 697 of those coming in 2019 – although he did battle injuries last season – while also adding seven career touchdowns and averaging 10.9 yards per catch.

At 6’2 – 212 pounds, Stewart has very good size but he does lack vertical speed. This could lead to issues getting open at the NFL level, but in college, he was able to wiggle free and create space in man coverage. But it’s worth noting that drops were a major issue last season.

Prior to the draft, Stewart was asked by Justin Melo of Draft Wire about his skill-set. Here is what Stewart had to say:

"“I was a big play-maker throughout my time at Michigan State. I’m a guy that can play every receiver position on the field. Michigan State moved me around a lot and the results remained consistent. I’ve played both inside and outside. I did damage in the slot. I’m very comfortable with that. I’m a big guy but I’m good with the ball in my hands. I make things happen after the catch. I can go up and make the tough, difficult catches.”"

For a closer look at Stewart’s game and what he brings to the Green Bay Packers through the eyes of a draft analyst, here is what Lance Zierlein of NFL.com had to say about him in his final scouting report:

"“Three-year starter at receiver with the size and build of an intimidating strong safety. Stewart was heavily targeted in 2019, but lacked eye-catching production. His routes are dull and lack the ability to throw coverage off his scent. He needs to use his imposing frame to carve out catch space and compete harder to make those combat catches.He’s not bad with the ball in his hands, but catching the football was a coin flip all the way through mid-October. The traits and athleticism are worth a look as an undrafted free agent, but he will need to show vast improvements in several areas to make any noise in a camp.”"

As is the case with any undrafted free agent, Stewart is still a bit raw as a player and he needs to develop. But with a solid summer, he could very well find himself on the Green Bay Packers’ practice squad this season.