Packers: 3 darkhorse rookies that could have immediate impact
Unlike last year, the Green Bay Packers are expecting an immediate impact from a number of their nine-man 2021 Draft class. First-round pick Eric Stokes will find a way on the field, as their second-round (offensive lineman Josh Myers) and third-round (wide receiver Amari Rodgers) selections are expected to compete for playing time from Day 1.
That’s exactly what the doctor ordered for Green Bay, as they used their extremely limited financial resources in free agency to re-sign their own players instead of bringing in outside guys at positions of need. That was a solid strategy by general manager Brian Gutekunst who ensured the Packers didn’t have any glaring holes entering the draft.
Outside of the obvious top three picks, there are a few dark horses who will have the opportunity to compete for playing time and/or have an impact on the Packers in their rookie campaigns. Here are three guys who may be flying under the radar because of their lower draft status.
The Green Bay Packers selected nine players in the 2021 NFL Draft. Which darkhorse players will have the biggest impact in their rookie seasons?
3. Royce Newman, OL
The Packers are quietly in the middle of a dramatic change along their offensive line. In the last two years, gone are Bryan Bulaga, Lane Taylor and Corey Linsley. In their place are Elgton Jenkins, Billy Turner, and now Josh Myers. Green Bay has also selected a handful of offensive linemen in the middle to late rounds in each of the last two drafts, including this year’s fourth-round pick Royce Newman.
Newman is a versatile offensive lineman–something the Packers are liking more and more–and can legitimately play left tackle, left guard, right guard, or right tackle. He’ll likely begin his career as a backup to both of the guard spots with the potential to develop into a right tackle. Barring a major injury or something surprising happening, Newman will be a backup but he’s just one or two injuries away from having to play major snaps during his rookie season.
2. Tedarrell Slaton, DL
Tedarrell Slaton was selected in the fifth round and is a big dude, to say the least. At 6-foot-3 and 330 pounds he takes up a lot of space at the line of scrimmage and can eat up blockers. That’s exactly what Green Bay is hoping for from Slaton and he could earn some early down playing time. Dean Lowry and Tyler Lancaster have been extremely inconsistent the last two years and the door is open for someone to jump them on the depth chart and help take this defense to the next level.
Next. Packers: 4 moves to make following the draft. dark
1. Shemar Jean-Charles, CB
Despite not being the top cornerback selected for the Packers, Shemar Jean-Charles has the opportunity to make the most immediate impact. He’s a bit on the smaller side and likely projects as a slot corner if he can stick in the NFL. He’s tough as nails and will battle on every snap. He’ll go head to head with Chandon Sullivan with the chance to earn a spot as the Packers’ slot corner. If he wins that battle, he’ll see the field a lot early on in his career.