3 Packers UDFA signings who will make the 53-man roster

The Packers still have questions after the draft but, in light of that, these three UDFA signings afterward have a great chance to make the roster. 

With Aaron Rodgers gone and Jordan Love now QB1, things look much different for the Green Bay Packers. More pressingly, though, the task at hand has become putting the first-time starter in the best position to succeed. That, however, is easier said than done.

In the wake of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Packers have undoubtedly filled some holes. However, there are still big questions throughout the roster that Brian Gutekunst will need to address for Green Bay to have a puncher’s chance at winning the NFC North this season.

But perhaps that work has already started with the crop of UDFA signings the Packers made after the draft.

There will likely be several of the UDFAs who make the practice squad when the offseason concludes, but these three signings after the draft have a real chance to make it onto the 53-man roster after training camp and the preseason given the current state of the team.

Packers UDFA Jason Lewan can make the roster

Jason Lewan had a pre-draft visit with Green Bay, which shows that the team was interested in him but, instead of drafting him, waited until after the proceedings in Kansas City to bring him into the fold.

And it’s not hard to see why the franchise had interest. Lewan made 41 starts over five seasons with Illinois State in his college career and, playing on the interior defensive line, he amassed 10 tackles for loss, five sacks and showed some prowess on special teams with a blocked kick to his credit as well. He also tested quite well with a Relative Athletic Score (which measures athleticism in relation to size) of 8.55 (out of 10).

One of the big areas of concern for the Packers right now is on the defensive line. Karl Brooks and Colby Wooden were both drafted on Day 3, but there are questions about whether either player can contribute right away. Outside of Kenny Clark and Devonte Wyatt, though, the depth in that position group is problematic.

Though Lukas Van Ness has the versatility to move inside from the edge at times, the Packers will need bodies to work with on the defensive front. Given that they liked Lewan pre-draft and now that he’s in the building, there is a pathway for him to show out and earn a roster spot this offseason.

Packers UDFA Camren McDonald can make the roster

Do you think that Green Bay noticed that tight end was a major hole on the roster coming into the draft?

With only Josiah Deguara of note at tight end prior to April 27, the Pack used a pair of Day 2 selections to fill out the depth chart at the position with two fantastic prospects in former Oregon State standout Luke Musgrave and South Dakota State star Tucker Kraft.

The Packers, however, have traditionally liked to be extra-deep at the position and there has already been some chatter about the possibility of bringing back veteran Marcedes Lewis. Rather than doing that, though, there is a clear path for former Florida State tight end Camren McDonald to find his way onto the 53-man roster.

McDonald is certainly nothing like Musgrave and Kraft in terms of what he can offer as a receiver with career highs of 24 receptions, 312 yards and two touchdowns in a single season for him in Tallahassee. However, as a depth piece, special-teamer, and a blocker in the offense, he could play a role for this team.

Given that he’s another guy who had a pre-draft visit with the Packers, the interest carried over into UDFA signings and we could very well see him in green and gold on Sundays this season.

Packers UDFA Brenton Cox Jr. can make the roster

There’s a good chance that, if not for some trouble throughout his college career, that Brenton Cox Jr. would’ve been drafted at some point. He started his college career at Georgia but then transferred to Florida, though that was something that the Bulldogs didn’t seem all too bent out of shape over, which says a lot about his time at UGA.

It didn’t stop there, though, as he was dimissed from Florida by head coach Billy Napier midway through the 2022 season as well, which obviously led us to this point.

So the prospect of Cox making the roster in Green Bay is most definitely contingent upon him keeping his act together.

With that being said, it’s not hard to see how the former highly touted recruit and productive college player (32.5 sacks in 33 games for the Gators over 2.5 seasons) could end up on the Packers roster.

Rashan Gary is returning from injury and there’s a good chance that the former first-round pick is going to miss some time. That does potentially leave Green Bay thin at the edge, something that could be exacerbated if the team is forced to move Van Ness inside at all early in his career as well.

That need for depth opens the door for Cox. He’s far more talented than most UDFA signings you would see and with far more pedigree too. If the Packers decide that they need more bodies so they can move pieces around in the front seven and Cox stays on the straight-and-narrow, that spot on the 53-man is his for the taking.