Fifth Round: Packers Select Penn State QB Sean Clifford
GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers used the first of their fifth-round picks on a quarterback, grabbing Penn State’s Sean Clifford.
Only Jordan Love and Danny Etling are under contract at the position, with Love replacing Aaron Rodgers and Etling have not played in a single game since entering the NFL in 2018.
Clifford, who was not invited to the Scouting Combine, had a predraft visit.
“I just felt like the coaching staff, the people there, the town, it just fit me really well and I’m really happy to be a Green Bay Packer,” Clifford said during his introductory Zoom. “I think just all around it just felt like a really good fit, and when you have that kind of conversations you definitely have hopes, so I was really excited to see that name pop up on the phone. Really excited to help the team in any way possible.”
While not highly regarded by scouts, he was incredibly productive. A four-year starter for the Nittany Lions – two years ahead of Will Levis before Levis transferred to Kentucky – Clifford in program history is the career leader in completion percentage (61.2) completions (817), passing yards (10,382) and passing touchdowns (84). Among quarterbacks, he’s third with 1,074 rushing yards and fourth with 15 rushing touchdowns and second with 11,456 total yards.
“I feel like I’m truly playing my best ball," Clifford said at pro day. "The Rose Bowl speaks for itself. And I know that I’m playing my best ball and I know that I’m a pro, being able to show that today, show my speed and show my athleticism.”
He added: “I just need to be in a camp. I just need to be in a practice with the pros, because I know I’m a pro. I can come in and add value to a team. I know that more than anything. I still think I can play in the league 100 percent.”
At 6-foot-2 and 218 pounds, he doesn’t have a great arm but he’s an excellent athlete with a 4.59 in the 40. He is tough, productive and a revered team leader. He was the nation’s best red zone quarterback, according to Pro Football Focus.
“I don’t regret anything that has happened,” he told The Reading Eagle late in the season. “Do I regret a throw? Yeah, for sure, a bunch of throws. At the same time, when it comes to how I’ve approached the game, how I’ve approached every single day in the locker room, I know I’ve given this program everything I’ve got.
Clifford closed his career by winning Rose Bowl MVP with 279 yards and two touchdowns.
“I’ve laid my guts on the line for this place. I love everything about Penn State.”
Clifford will turn 25 just before the start of training camp. Love won’t turn 25 until November.
The Packers have one more pick in the fifth round, No. 159 overall. Here are the remaining picks.
Fifth round (No. 159): Pick acquired from Lions
Sixth round (No. 179): Pick acquired from Buccaneers
Sixth round (No. 207): Pick acquired from Jets for Aaron Rodgers.
Seventh round (No. 232):
Seventh round (No. 235): Pick acquired from Rams as part of Corey Bojorquez trade
Seventh round (No. 242): Pick acquired from Jaguars for Cole Van Lanen
Seventh round (No. 256: Compensatory for Chandon Sullivan
“You guys know how I feel about picks” GM Brian Gutekunst said at the end of the third round on Friday. “As many as I can get. But … if there’s opportunities to trade up, we certainly will. At the same time, I’d be very content to just stick and pick. I think we have a lot of opportunity in our football team right now and the more swings we can have at the plate I think the better.”
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