The Green Bay Packers' wide receiver moves stole the headlines in the NFL Draft, but they quietly upgraded their running back room with an underrated prospect who didn't want to land anywhere else.
Immediately following the draft, Green Bay signed South Dakota State running back Amar Johnson as an undrafted free agent.
In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Johnson revealed that the Packers were his dream destination, to the point that he hoped other teams wouldn't draft him.
"Me and my agent (Blake Baratz) just felt the love was genuine from them, and it stayed like that the entire time," Johnson said, according to Bill Huber of Sports Illustrated. "So, the whole draft, I was like, 'Please don't draft a running back,' because they were telling me they wanted me before the draft. So, that was big, and I was just so happy to make it official finally and just hoped nobody else drafted me."
It's truly fascinating to hear that, especially considering the Packers' depth at running back. Johnson faces an uphill battle to secure a 53-man roster spot ahead of Emanuel Wilson or Chris Brooks.
But the undrafted rookie has slipped under the radar and could add something different to the Packers' rushing attack.
Amar Johnson's speed could make him a valuable addition to the Packers' offense
Green Bay gives undrafted free agents an opportunity, which makes it such an appealing landing spot. At least one undrafted rookie has made the Packers' 53-man roster for the past two decades.
Johnson has an opportunity to join that list.
Josh Jacobs, Wilson, and Brooks provide power to the Packers' rushing attack, but they could benefit from a change-of-pace option who adds speed. Green Bay hopes MarShawn Lloyd can provide that after missing most of his rookie season due to injury, and Matt LaFleur has high expectations for the second-year running back.
Johnson can also add something a little different. He ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash, helping him earn an elite 8.80 Relative Athletic Score.
He dominated at South Dakota State last season, rushing for 1,222 yards and 14 touchdowns. Johnson didn't make a significant impact as a receiver but still caught 30 passes for 233 yards and a touchdown.
Just as importantly, NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein notes that Johnson "can protect the quarterback," which is a quick way to earn LaFleur's trust.
The Packers give opportunities to undrafted rookies, and Johnson could be the latest to land a 53-man roster spot. Despite the competition in the backfield, he turned down other options to land in Green Bay.
Winning a roster spot ahead of Wilson, who rushed for 502 yards and four touchdowns as Jacobs' backup, or Brooks, who averaged 5.1 yards per attempt, won't be easy. But Johnson has every opportunity to make an impact.
He didn't want to be anywhere else, and Johnson is a player to watch closely over the summer. Remember the name.