Green Bay Packers: Undrafted free agents – who are these guys?

The undrafteds on the offensive side

The Packers did their due diligence of signing undrafteds on the offensive side of the ball.

They include one quarterback, two running backs, three wide receivers, one tight end and two offensive linemen.

Let’s start with the quarterback …

QB Joe Callahan, Wesley College – Reported by Tom Silverstein

According to Silverstein, here is what Callahan looks like:

"His name is Joe Callahan, a record-setting quarterback who was awarded Division III’s version of the Heisman Trophy after throwing for 5,068 yards and 55 touchdowns last season. The 6-foot-1, 216-pound Callahan has drawn the attention of the Green Bay Packers, who have been in contact with him regularly and appear very interested in signing him if he isn’t drafted. Regional scout Mike Owens did the groundwork and director of player personnel Brian Gutekunst has been following up with phone calls. The Packers are looking for a fourth quarterback to go with Aaron Rodgers, Brett Hundley and Ryan Williams and they like what they’ve seen in the strong-armed Callahan. Wesley’s level of competition isn’t SEC-worthy, but they are aware of the talent at Division III powerhouse Mount Union and only needed to turn on tape of Wesley’s quarterfinal playoff game in Alliance, Ohio, two years ago to see what he did against the Purple Raiders."

The running backs …

RB Brandon Burks, Troy – Reported by Brad Byrne

According to nfldraftscout.com:

RB Don Jackson, Nevada – Reported by Ben Ross

According to nfldraftscout.com:

Wide receivers

WR Geronimo Allison, Illinios – reported by Ryan Wood

According to nfl.com:

PRO DAY RESULTS

40-yard dash: 4.58 seconds
3-cone drill: 7.1 seconds
Vertical: 34 1/2 inches

ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS

Can steer clear of press coverage with foot quickness and head fakes off the snap. High point pass catcher who gets full extension when trying to pluck the high throws. Able to stick the landing when making a touch catch near the boundary. Angular receiver who will fight through a tackler after the catch. As a blocker, squares up his target and gives above average effort as a blocker on the edge. Grinds on film. Voted team captain multiple weeks in 2015 and takes his role of team leader seriously.

WEAKNESSES

Below average deep threat. Rare to see him run a go route past a cornerback and make himself an open vertical target. Lack of deep speed allows cornerbacks to sit on underneath routes. Ohio State cornerbacks ran his routes all day long. Focus drops an issue this year. Had drop rate of just over 11 percent this year. Play speed into routes needs to improve. Hip stiffness prevents him from sinking hips into breaks. Below average acceleration out of breaks. Too often crowds himself against the boundary.

BOTTOM LINE

Long and lanky, Allison didn’’t play football his junior or senior year and played two years of junior college ball before finishing his final two seasons at Illinois. While Allison is still a work and progress and did show growth during his senior season, his inability to consistently create separation will likely trump his height and willingness to help out in the running game. The tape doesn’’t show enough speed, but if he runs well during the postseason, he will get some attention.

WR Herb Waters, Miami (Fl) – Reported by Matt Porter

According to nfldraftscout.com:

WR Devonte Robinson, Utah State – Reported by Utah St. Football

According to nfldraftscout.com:

And the one tight end

TE David Grinnage, NC State – reported by Ryan Wood

According to nfl.com:

ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS

Has size of an NFL tight end. Productive pass catcher as redshirt sophomore. Sacrificed personal stats for team goals with no complaints. Works to free himself into presentable position when quarterback scrambles. Showed improved focus at the catch­-point this season. Able to adjust to low throws and peel them off the turn.

WEAKNESSES

Below average speed and athleticism on tape. Upright into breaks and was unable to uncover and open passing windows. Routes lack sharpness and opens to quarterback too gradually. Limited run skills after the catch. Wasn?t tasked with heavy­ lifting as a run blocker and may not be able to execute blocking responsibilities as “Y” tight end. Missed spring practices due to back issue.

BOTTOM LINE

There was pre­season buzz surrounding Grinnage after a productive 2014 campaign, but this season’s results were somewhat disappointing and completely lacking in consistency of production. Grinnage plays with below-average play speed and stiffness in his routes. His difficulty separating combined with very average run blocking will pose a substantial hurdle in his attempts to make an NFL roster.

The offensive linemen

OT Josh James, Carroll College – Reported by Tom SIlverstein

According to carrollathletics:

Quote from Coach Van Diest: “Josh, like Ryan Armstrong, will be a four-year starter this fall going into his senior year on the offensive line. He has been a stalwart at the offensive tackle spot. Maybe our most improved offensive lineman last year. He really came on and learned how to play physical. We are counting on great things from him this fall.”

2014: Appeared in all 12 games starting 11 at left tackle… named First-Team All-Frontier Conference.

2013: Started all 13 games at left tackle.

2012: Started all 11 games at left tackle.

2011: Redshirted and contributed on scout team.

High School:
Josh was a starter on the Coeur d’Alene High School State 5A Football Championship team… two-year letterman… played in Idaho’s All Star football game… on the Honor Roll with a 3.66 GPA.

Personal: Parents are Mike and Jennifer James of Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho.

G Cory Tucker, Slippery Rock – Reported by Jerry DiPaola

According to nfldraftscout.com:

C: Kyle Steuck, No. Michigan (Green Bay Native) – Reported by Tom Silverstein

According to nfldraftscout.com:

Oh yeah, and when considering special teams, there was one punter that Ted Thompson signed …

P Peter Mortell, Minnesota – Reported by Peter Mortell

According to nfldraftscout.com:

PRO DAY RESULTS

40-yard dash: 4.7 seconds
Broad jump: 9 feet

ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS

Posted productive junior season in talent­-rich SEC. Likes the game played downhill. Wrap-­up tackler who finished with 100 total tackles and four sacks this season. Big enough to play through an angle block and work back into a play. Lively in his pursuit to the sideline and racks up tackles as mop­-up man on the perimeter. Communicative on the field helping to direct traffic.

PRO DAY RESULTS

40-yard dash: 4.58 seconds
3-cone drill: 7.1 seconds
Vertical: 34 1/2 inches

ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS

Can steer clear of press coverage with foot quickness and head fakes off the snap. High point pass catcher who gets full extension when trying to pluck the high throws. Able to stick the landing when making a touch catch near the boundary. Angular receiver who will fight through a tackler after the catch. As a blocker, squares up his target and gives above average effort as a blocker on the edge. Grinds on film. Voted team captain multiple weeks in 2015 and takes his role of team leader seriously.