Green Bay has a history of undrafted rookie free-agent signings that spans decades. Last year, it was kicker Brayden Narveson, and we saw how that turned out. In 2023, the list was more promising, featuring running back Emanuel Wilson, wide receiver Malik Heath, and defensive end Brenton Cox Jr.
Here are three candidates to keep an eye on during training camp. At least one of them might wind up in the final 53.
Nazir Stackhouse (DT, Georgia)
Stackhouse was a three-year starter at Georgia, and it should come as no surprise that the Packers targeted a Bulldog who went undrafted. Perhaps it’s all coincidental, but the Packers have had a knack for recruiting Georgia players in recent years.
Stackhouse has quite the frame at 6’4”, 330 lbs. At Georgia, he excelled at clogging holes in the opposing ground game and eating up blocks.
Green Bay just lost a player who fit that description, T.J. Slaton, who left in free agency to sign with the Cincinnati Bengals. Slaton started every game in the last two years at defensive tackle.
Stackhouse won’t be a starter, but it looks like he can fit into a depth spot. Competition will be stiff, and some of it will come from his former Georgia teammate Warren Brinson, who the Packers drafted in the sixth round and plays the same position.
Keep in mind that the Packers were using Colby Wooden as a backup at nose tackle last year. Therefore, it may be even trickier for Stackhouse to get a 53-man roster spot. Still, there will be an opportunity, and Stackhouse’s profile fits what Green Bay will try to replace from a depth standpoint after Slaton exited in free agency.
Jonathan Baldwin (CB, UNLV)
Green Bay isn’t known for giving a lot of guaranteed money to UDFAs, so it was a real curveball when they shelled out $115,000 in guaranteed money for Jonathan Baldwin. It’s a clear sign that they like what they saw in the UNLV cornerback, who some analysts had going as high as the fifth round in this year’s draft. Baldwin wasn’t selected, but his versatility caught Green Bay’s eye.
He didn’t play much at safety for UNLV last year, logging just 92 snaps at that position. It paled in comparison to the 664 snaps he played in the slot.
Versatility is often the name of the game in Green Bay, and Baldwin’s ability to play safety and in the slot is a major plus. And a glance at the Packers’ cornerback group shows there is a space Baldwin can potentially fit into.
The Packers will enter training camp with just three guaranteed locks at CB. After Keisean Nixon, Nate Hobbs, and Carrington Valentine, everything seems up for grabs. For slot corner purposes, safety Javon Bullard will be in the running to get some of those snaps that could also go Baldwin’s way.
Baldwin will be lumped in with a group that includes 2025 seventh-round pick Micah Robinson, 2024 seventh-round pick Kalen King, and Kamal Hadden, who the Kansas City Chiefs drafted in the sixth round last year before they waived him four months later.
Jamon Johnson (LB, Kentucky)
There’s a theme developing here. Green Bay is returning so many starters on offense, and they added two wide receivers and an offensive lineman with their first three picks in April’s draft. Thus, it’s no coincidence that most of the spots that are up for grabs are on the defensive side of the ball.
Speaking of recurring themes, Jamon Johnson finished his college career in 2024 at Kentucky after spending his first three years at Georgia. His consistency dipped at Kentucky, as plenty of draft profiles noted. His early tape at Georgia stood out more than what he put on film in one year with the Wildcats.
In 2022, Johnson was a Second-Team All-American at the University of Georgia and a finalist for the Butkus Award. The talent is there; he just displayed it more consistently at Georgia. Green Bay hopes to tap into that to help Johnson return to consistent production.
For him to secure a spot, he’ll have to leapfrog players like Ty’Ron Hopper and Kristian Welch. It’s not impossible, but it will be a significant challenge. His odds could improve if the Packers keep more inside linebackers in the final 53, which could certainly happen. Johnson will have a chance in training camp and the preseason to show he can be the linebacker who had scouts giddy during his three-year stretch at Georgia.
