3 potential UDFAs for Packers in the 2021 draft class
Every year the Green Bay Packers do their homework on prospects ready to enter the NFL. However, the Packers know they won’t be able to get everyone they want through the draft. As they do every year, there are some players the Packers will target as priority undrafted free agents.
Last year, Green Bay brought in 15 undrafted free agents right after the draft. One went on to be a viable starter in Krys Barnes, who started 10 games in 2020 despite joining the team as an undrafted free agent out of UCLA. The 2021 draft class won’t be any different in that the Packers will carefully analyze the undrafted players who could potentially help this football team next season.
So, here are a few under the radar prospects Green Bay could target after the draft:
Royce Newman, OT, Ole Miss
Newman was a backup before starting 12 games at left guard in 2019. Last year he transitioned to right tackle and started 10 games. Newman is an underrated yet versatile prospect due to his ability to play multiple positions. He’s a good run blocker and improved in pass protection when he was placed on an island on the edge. Newman could offer the Packers a lot of versatility as a solid stopgap lineman. He may never be a high-level starter, but he could be a guy who can fill in when injuries inevitably occur. Newman has a decent shot of getting picked up on Day 3 of the draft, but should he fall, Green Bay likes guys who offer his kind of flexibility.
Jhamon Ausbon, WR, Texas A&M
Ausbon logged 147 receptions, 1,818 yards, and eight touchdowns before sitting out the 2020 season. Ausbon’s draft stock could have risen exponentially with another year of catching passes from Kellen Mond. However, Ausbon sat out his senior year due to the uncertainty of a COVID-stricken season. Ausbon is the typical big-bodied receiver the Packers go for. He’s 6-2 and physical but a tad slow. At his pro day, his 40-time came in at 4.72. Green Bay usually stays away from receivers who run above a 4.6 but they could make an exception for a UDFA. Ausbon is good in contested-catch situations and has above-average body control, which makes him a good fit in Matt LaFleur’s offense. Even though he struggles with separating and short-area quickness, the Packers may bring a guy like Ausbon in to see what he offers as a camp body.
Peyton Ramsey, QB, Northwestern
The likelihood of Green Bay drafting a quarterback this year is pretty low, but you can’t rule out an undrafted free agent signing. Tim Boyle is no longer around, and the Packers like to have at least three signal-callers in training camp. Ramsey is a player Green Bay could call if he isn’t selected on Day 3. After three years at Indiana, Ramsey transferred to Northwestern, where he led the Wildcats to the Big Ten Championship. For his career, he totaled 8,314 yards, 54 touchdowns, 31 interceptions, and a 65.2 completion percentage. He doesn’t have great arm strength and he isn’t the best decision-maker, however, he’s an athletic prospect by quarterback standards, as evidenced by his mobility and playmaking. After spending some time on an NFL practice squad, Ramsey could develop into an adequate backup.
