Packers Undrafted Free Agent Class of 2014

This year's rookie free agents are headlined by Boston College quarterback Chase Rettig and Tennessee running back Rajion Neal.

After selecting their newest draft class of nine players from Thursday through Saturday, the Green Bay Packers now have 76 players on their 90-man offseason roster.

That leaves room for up to 14 players, and the Green Bay Packers have reportedly filled all 14 of those roster spots and then some with undrafted free agents, according to the Green Bay Press-Gazette (and numerous other outlets).

While not yet made official, here are the rookie free agents reported to have signed with Packers:

  • Quarterback Chase Rettig, Boston College (6' 2" 215 lbs.)

Rettig was a four-year starter for the Eagles, playing on several losing teams but helping to lead his team to a 7-6 record and a bowl berth his senior season. In 2013 Rettig completed 61.6 percent of his passes for 1,995 with 17 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

  • Running back Rajion Neal, Tennessee (5' 11" 220 lbs.)

Neal is a well-built running back that rushed for 2,163 yards (4.9 ypc) and 19 touchdowns over the course of his career, while playing in the best conference in college football. He run for over 1,000 yards (1,124) as as senior. After a solid performance in the Medal of Honor Bowl all-star game, Neal received a promotion to the East-West Shrine Game the following week.

  • Running back James Sims, Kansas (5' 10" 207 lbs.)

Despite playing on a poor Kansas team, Sims was one of the few bright spots, rushing for over 1,000 yards in both his junior and senior seasons. He was named second-team all-conference as a junior and first-team by the media as a senior. Over his career, he rushed for 3,592 yards (4.5 yards ypc) and 34 touchdowns and added 72 receptions.

  • Running back LaDarius Perkins, Mississippi State (5' 7" 195 lbs.)

Perkins is one of two undrafted free agents to have been invited to the NFL Combine, where his 4.46 seconds in the 40-yard dash was one of the top performances for players at his position. Over his career, Perkins rushed for 2,554 yards (4.8 ypc) and 15 touchdowns at Mississippi State. He also caught 68 passes and 10 touchdowns out of the backfield. Perkins has returned 46 career kickoffs in college for an average of 21.1 yards per attempt.

  • Defensive lineman Mike Pennel, Colorado State-Pueblo (6' 4" 332 lbs.)

Pennel is the other of two Packers' undrafted free agents to be invited to the NFL Combine. He began playing football at a community college, transferred to Arizona State in 2012, got suspended twice and finished his playing days at Colorado State-Pueblo in 2013. He was also used as a goal-line fullback.

  • Offensive lineman John Fullington, Washington State (6' 5" 300 lbs.)

Fullington was reported as being invited to Green Bay on one of their official visits. He made 43 straight starts, the second-most in school history and didn't miss a single game. Versatility is a plus, having played both guard and tackle.

  • Offensive lineman Jordan McCray, Central Florida (6' 3" 310 lbs.)

A product from the same school as Josh Sitton, McCray was named first-team all-conference as a senior and named to Cheesehead TV's All-Bowl team after Central Florida's Fiesta Bowl upset over Baylor. Played in the Medal of Honor Bowl all-star game.

  • Safety Tanner Miller Iowa (6' 1" 211 lbs.)

Miller was named honorable mention All-Big Ten as a senior after making 70 tackles and three interceptions. Miller had a good pro day workout, running the 40-yard dash in 4.59 seconds and leaping 35 1/2 inches for his vertical jump.

  • Cornerback/Safety Ryan White, Auburn (5' 10" 194 lbs.)

White was a member of Auburn's national championship team in 2010 and again played in the national championship in a losing effort as a senior. He made 54 tackles and one interception as a senior and was featured in an article at NFL.com after taking part in one of the league's regional combines.

  • Linebacker Jack Doughty, Utah State (6' 0" 227 lbs.)

Doughty was named first-team All-Mountain West as both a junior and senior. In 2013, he made 103 tackles, 13 for a loss, two sacks and an interception. He was also named to Cheesehead TV's All-Bowl team after Utah State's win over Northern Illinois in the Poinsettia Bowl. Doughty displayed good athleticism in running the 40-yard dash in 4.53 seconds at his pro day.

  • Linebacker Joe Thomas, South Carolina State (6' 1" 227 lbs.)

Thomas reportedly made an official pre-draft visit to Green Bay. He was named the MEAC Defensive Player of the Year after making 116 tackles, 20 for a loss, 7 1/2 sacks and an interception as a senior. He had an impressive 38-inch vertical jump at his pro day.

  • Defensive lineman Carlos Gray, North Carolina State (6' 2" 313 lbs.)

Gray made 23 tackles, 3.5 for a loss and 2.5 sacks as a senior. He declared for the NFL Draft after just his redshirt sophomore season despite not making much of an impact during his college career.

  • Tight end Justin Perillo, Maine (6' 3" 250 lbs.)

Perillo was named first-team all-conference and a third-team FCS All-American following a senior season in which he had 39 catches for 490 yards and four touchdowns. He was featured in a video at TheBigLead.com that documents his preparations prior to his pro day workout.

  • Linebacker Jayrone Elliot, Toledo (6' 3" 255 lbs.)

A defensive end/outside linebacker hybrid, Elliot was named first-team All-MAC as a senior after making 70 tackles and a conference-leading 14 sacks.

Assuming this list is accurate, the Packers should have filled all 90 of 90 possible roster spots. 

The team typically leaves a few roster spots open to sign a handful of players on a tryout basis at next weekend's rookie minicamp, but they can always cut a handful of players to make that happen.

UPDATE: 

The list at NEPatriotsDraft.com also lists the Packers as signing Alabama outside linebacker Adrian Hubbard, Oklahoma offensive lineman Bronson Irwin, Troy wide receiver Wilson Van Hooser and Auburn cornerback Demetruce McNeal, so obviously not all reports are accurate, because that would put the Packers roster far over 90 players.

More than likely, some of the players reported as signing will end up being tryouts.

UPDATE:

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Comments (21)

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Eye Flys's picture

May 11, 2014 at 10:47 am

We also signed Adrian Hubbard OLB Alabama to an UDFA deal this morning.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

May 11, 2014 at 06:48 pm

He maybe a good practice squad guy. From the sound of it he was not wise to come out this year. He certainly has an ideal frame.

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Clay Zombo's picture

May 11, 2014 at 10:47 am

Was hoping for Kenny Ladler and Max Bullough but it looks like that's not happening. Oh well.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

May 11, 2014 at 11:59 am

I was looking forward to Ladler as well.

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NickPerry's picture

May 11, 2014 at 11:24 am

I was hoping for more help at LB like Christian Jones (Bears), or Skov (49ers), but this draft as a whole will be one of TT best as Packers GM.

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bojoerge's picture

May 11, 2014 at 11:50 am

The draftclass do not count against the roster until they sign there contracts. Therefore the Packers at this point in time can sign a few more players and keep them for rookie-camp, OTA's and mini-camp

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Rsprake1's picture

May 11, 2014 at 01:46 pm

Really excited about the Hubbard signing. Don't know why he dropped but I saw a lot of people project him as a fairly high pick.

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JimTaylor31's picture

May 11, 2014 at 06:35 pm

I read somewhere where he has a percived issue with an enlarged heart. He received a medical clearance to play and now has to pass a physical with the Packers. Hope it works out as he could be a pretty good catch for a UDFA. He has some motor concerns and is by no means perfect but given some time may develop into a good player....if he is cleared by our medical staff.

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TKWorldWide's picture

May 11, 2014 at 09:40 pm

My heart, like the Grinch's, is several sizes too big, since it is so full of love.

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NickPerry's picture

May 12, 2014 at 07:40 am

Just read something on JS about that. He felt the paperwork clearing him from his doctor didn't make it to all the teams. He claims to have the Paperwork that will clear him and Eddie Lacy told him to come to Green Bay. Several teams wanted him including the Bears. Thanks Eddie!

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NickPerry's picture

May 12, 2014 at 07:43 am

Sorry, comment appeared twice.

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JimTaylor31's picture

May 12, 2014 at 08:16 am

I understand Hubbard very much needs and attitude adjusment also. He could be a real find if he shows some maturity and gets his head out of his entitled ass.

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Big Moe's picture

May 11, 2014 at 02:25 pm

I was hoping that Groy from wisconsin would be brought in as an UDFA I thought he may be a possibility at center as well.

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tm_inter's picture

May 11, 2014 at 04:56 pm

No tight end Colt Lyerla? He is fast, running 40-yard dash in 4.61.

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jh9's picture

May 11, 2014 at 05:39 pm

We all know the Packers need an upgrade at ILB. Check out UDFA, Joe Thomas. If he can up his game to the NFL level and play like he did against MEAC competition, we will have something. I'm pulling for him!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWhOlrSQnpI

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Otto's picture

May 11, 2014 at 06:01 pm

LaDarius Perkins looks like he could be lightning to Lacey's thunder.

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JimTaylor31's picture

May 12, 2014 at 08:21 am

Perkins is interesting. I'm also curious about Joe Thomas at ILB. Maybe just another Moses or S'oto who shows something early and levels off early but who knows. Looks like with his athletic ability he can contribute on STs and maybe develop at ILB.

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L's picture

May 12, 2014 at 12:52 pm

I've always found the UDFA signings to be particularly interesting as all teams have access to these players immediately after the conclusion of the draft and anyone the team had as still highly (given the end of the draft) rated on their board would be players the team would go after with priority. I wonder who were the priority guys the Pack went after immediately? Mike Pennel? Rajion Neal? Joe Thomas? Jack Doughty? Tanner Miller? Adrian Hubbard?

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temp41's picture

May 12, 2014 at 03:54 pm

Hmm, Only 2 UDFA OL out of 25 new players.That can't be good.

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JimTaylor31's picture

May 12, 2014 at 05:47 pm

I dunno. We are getting 3 guys back (Bulaga, Tretter, Sherrod) so I'm thinking the depth may be better than many think. I'm not counting (just hoping) on Sherrod but I think Bulaga and Tretter should be good to go. Sherrod should be better than Newhouse as far as a backup is concerned. I would hope anyhow.

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Bear's picture

May 12, 2014 at 06:01 pm

Pennel may be interesting to watch. He played at 363 and appears to have good lateral movement and gets off blocks quickly. Competition wasn't the best but the potential is there. Had attitude problems at ASU and was suspended. He thought he was better than he was according to some coaches. Seems to have matured.

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