Packers might lose promising rookie after another team drafts him

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur / Stacy Revere/GettyImages
facebooktwitterreddit

The Green Bay Packers give opportunities to undrafted free agents. Malik Heath, Bo Melton, and Yosh Nijman are among the recent examples to go undrafted but play a key role for the Packers.

Donovan Jennings could be next. Of every undrafted addition Green Bay made this offseason, Jennings has the best chance to make the 53-man roster. He checks a lot of boxes the Packers look for along the offensive line.

Jennings has previous left tackle experience but projects to move inside to guard, so he enters the league with versatility. His 8.93 Relative Athletic Score stands out, and the Packers met with him before the draft.

However, the USF product now has another option if things don't work out with the Packers.

Packers rookie Donovan Jennings gets drafted in the UFL

The UFL held their college draft this week, allowing teams to select players who went undrafted in the NFL this offseason. In the third round, the San Antonio Brahmas selected Jennings.

So, what does this mean for Jennings and the Packers?

Jennings doesn't have to report to the Brahmas, but they would control his rights if he chooses to play in the league. But if the Packers don't keep him on their 53-man roster, the versatile lineman has a guaranteed option to play elsewhere.

Releasing Jennings this summer could be risky. First, other NFL teams could claim him on waivers. He now has the additional choice to head to the UFL and play for the Brahmas.

If Jennings impresses at training camp, the Packers may have to find room on their 53-man roster.

Signing a UFL contract could make sense for players on NFL roster bubbles. It gives them a chance to play consistently and show what they can do, and UFL draft picks have an "NFL out," allowing them to sign with an NFL team if they receive an offer.

The best-case scenario is either Jennings earning a spot on the 53-man roster or re-signing to the practice squad. But if the Packers waive him at the end of training camp, he will have options elsewhere. It's not guaranteed they would get him back on their practice squad.

More Packers news and analysis

manual