Packers’ Undrafted Streak Reaches 19 Years
GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers had at least one undrafted rookie earn a spot on the opening 53-man roster for 18 consecutive years.
Make that 19.
According to a source, outside linebacker Brenton Cox has been told he’d earned a spot on the 53 that general manager Brian Gutekunst has been forming on Tuesday.
Receiver Malik Heath hinted on his Instagram that he’d made the 53, as well. So did running back Emanuel Wilson.
By talent, Cox and Heath were Green Bay’s top undrafted finds. A scout after the draft said both would have been late-round picks had they not had some character red flags during their college careers.
Coach Matt LaFleur on Sunday said both players had been given a “clean slate” rather than having to carry the burden of past transgressions.
“They’ve been outstanding for us,” LaFleur said. “I think it was well communicated just what the expectations are here and they’ve embraced that and have been key contributors to our locker room – and not only just by their play on the field but they work hard in practice. I think we’ve all seen improvement along the way and it’s fun to watch guys like that succeed.
Brenton Cox (Wm Glasheen/USA Today Sports Images)
“Our philosophy is that I don’t really care what’s happened in the past. You come here, you have a clean slate, and you can write your own story. Those guys have embraced that and they’ve done a really nice job for us, and that’s the expectation moving forward.”
Whether it was catching the football or blocking, Heath was superb throughout training camp. With Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks out with hamstring injuries, he started ahead of a pair of seventh-round picks, Samori Toure and Grant DuBose, against Seattle.
“I think I put some great film out there, blocking, pass-catching, tough catches,” Heath said after the game. “I think I did good. I think I did my job. I’m just waiting.”
Heath and Cox are on minimum-salary contracts of $750,000. A practice squad player gets $12,000 per week, for an 18-week total of $216,000.
“It’s the 53. It’s different from being on p-squad. The check’s different. You’re trying to get money,” Heath said.
Cox was a five-star recruit coming out of high school. He was dismissed from Georgia following his freshman year and dismissed from Florida last season.
“I’ve grown, I’ve matured a lot,” Cox said of his message to teams before the draft. “If you want to take a chance on me, I understand; if you don’t, I understand, as well. Just give me a shot, give me a way to put my foot back in the door.”
Cox got his foot in the door, then continued to push his way through. He put an exclamation mark on a strong preseason against Seattle by delivering quality snaps against the run and as a pass rusher. His physical style suits Green Bay’s preference.
Even before Saturday’s game, Cox admitted to being nervous about what was ahead. Having squandered opportunities in college, he didn’t want to let this one slip through his fingers.
“It would mean everything,” he said. “Definitely make my mom, my dad, everybody proud of me, especially myself. I just appreciate the coaches that have faith in me to get here.”
Wilson, a Division II All-American who lasted just a few days with the Broncos, not only led the NFL in preseason rushing but in broken tackles, as well.
“I’m proud of myself,” he said before the final preseason game vs. Seattle. “I overcame a lot. Right now, it feels good but it really don’t mean anything right now. I’m just trying to make sure I improve in different areas on the team and actually make the 53-man roster.”
Long snapper Jack Coco was the only undrafted free agent to make it last year.
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