5 Packers with Momentum to make the 53-man roster

There are many undrafted players each year in the NFL that are just waiting for their shot to give it all they have to make a 53-man roster. While there are many talented undrafted players, the situation and sometimes the straight-up numbers game will decide what happens. With that being said, here are five players who have the momentum going into training camp to make the Green Bay Packers’ 53-man roster.

No. 1 – WR, Malik Heath

Heath, who on tape, showed many flashes of being able to find the open window against defenses, as well as create a play after the catch, still managed to find himself undrafted. Heath’s biggest game came against LSU last season, in which he recorded 145 yards receiving and a touchdown on eight receptions. Luckily for Green Bay, they were able to come to an agreement with the wide receiver and bring in Heath as an undrafted free agent.

Since then, he has excelled, whether it was the rookie camp reps, the second-team offense reps with quarterback Sean Clifford, or even getting up to first-team reps. Heath has surely caught the eyes of the coaching staff. Numbers-wise, though, the Packers’ wide receiver room is very young. The first five spots seem locked in with Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Samori Toure, and Dontayvion Wicks. Whether the Packers keep five, six, or seven wide receivers will depend on what flashes they see from seventh-round pick Grant DuBose, Malik Heath, Bo Melton out of Rutgers, whom the Packers signed last season, or Duece Watts out of Tulane. Heath definitely has gained the most momentum of the three thus far, with DuBose being sidelined through rookie camp and OTAs, so he lands number one on this list.

No. 2 – Edge, Brenton Cox Jr.

Cox Jr, who was ranked on the majority of draft boards to be drafted, surprisingly went undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft as well. Cox would later go on to sign with Green Bay as an undrafted free agent as well. Though Cox was dismissed from both Georgia and Florida football programs, he was truly a force on the field for both the Bulldogs and Gators.

Since the day he arrived in Green Bay, Cox has been impressive and has also shown he can contribute in multiple roles, which have caught the eye of Head Coach Matt LaFleur. If Cox continues to prove his attitude is different now that he’s with Green Bay as he has seemed, the physical traits and talent are there, and with NFL coaching, Cox has gained the momentum already to be a contender for a spot on the 53-man roster.

No. 3 – RB, Tyler Goodson

Goodson is a familiar face that lands himself on this list as he was signed to the Green Bay Packers after the 2022 NFL Draft as an undrafted free agent out of Iowa. Goodson managed to make his way through the year on the practice squad but showed signs of being a true playmaker anytime he got the chance in practice. Coming into this offseason, the Packers had drafted a new running back, Lew Nichols, out of Central Michigan, who will be competing alongside Goodson, and Patrick Taylor for that third running back spot.

Earlier this offseason, Goodson even spent a month in Miami, Florida, training with fellow teammate, running back Aaron Jones, and his brother Alvin, trying to become the best possible version of himself as a player that he can. It is clear that Goodson has the 53-man roster on his mind and is willing to soak up every little thing that he can to reach that goal. Another sign that will help Goodson is that he is a playmaker naturally, which is something you need on special teams. The Packers love to keep players that show they can contribute on special teams, and while Goodson has been working as a returner with cornerback Keisean Nixon, who will undoubtedly win the returner job as he was First Team All-Pro at that position, Goodson’s playmaking ability sticks out, and might even be enough to carve himself a role on special teams as well.

No. 4 – DL, Jonathan Ford

Jonathan Ford finds himself on this list after being a seventh-round pick by the Green Bay Packers in the 2022 NFL Draft due to his size and strength that will help take on blockers while setting the line of scrimmage. That skill is something that the Packers are looking for more consistency with, and it is very possible they will keep six defensive linemen for just that reason. Ford would add to an already great rotation of players on the defensive line of Kenny Clark, TJ Slaton, Devonte Wyatt, Karl Brooks, and Colby Woodson, but the spot will be up for grab between Ford and Chris Slayton, who will be one of his biggest competitors, among others as well.

No. 5 – TE, Camren McDonald

McDonald is a very versatile TE who went undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft and was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Florida State. For people who might not be familiar with McDonald’s game, he can seal linebackers off the edge but is very good in the short pass game due to his footwork, and he can also contribute for Green Bay on special teams, which is a big reason he lands himself on this list. Green Bay could very well use him in a hybrid tight end type roll as far as offense goes like you saw with former Packer Dominique Dafney. If McDonald can use his athleticism and make an impact on special teams, that tight end room will have a competition between McDonald and Tyler Davis for the fourth tight end spot.