Packers Sign Third-Rounder Oren Burks
The Packers have officially signed their entire draft class. The team announced today that they’ve signed third-round linebacker Oren Burks. This was Green Bay’s second rookie signing of the day, as they inked second-rounder Josh Jackson this morning.
The 6-foot-3, 233-pound linebacker had a standout career at Vanderbilt, including a 2017 campaign where he established career-highs in tackles (80) and tackles for loss (seven). Burks was drafted with the 88th pick by the Packers, providing defensive coordinator Mike Pettine with a versatile weapon.
The 23-year-old primarily played inside and outside linebacker during his time in college, and he also had stints at safety (he had three interceptions during his sophomore campaign). The rookie’s best path to playing time is probably inside linebacker, where he’ll have to compete with Ahmad Thomas for playing time behind Blake Martinez and Jake Ryan.
With this signing, the Packers have officially signed all 11 of their draft picks. This list includes:
- 1-18: Jaire Alexander, CB (Louisville)
- 2-45: Josh Jackson, CB (Iowa)
- 3-88: Oren Burks, LB (Vanderbilt)
- 4-133: J’Mon Moore, WR (Missouri)
- 5-138: Cole Madison, OG (Washington State)
- 5-172: JK Scott, P (Alabama)
- 5-174: Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR (South Florida)
- 6-207: Equanimeous St. Brown, WR (Notre Dame)
- 7-232: James Looney, DE (California)
- 7-239: Hunter Bradley, LS (Mississippi State)
- 7-248: Kendall Donnerson, OLB (Southeast Missouri State)
Packers Sign CB Josh Jackson
The Packers have signed second-round cornerback Joshua Jackson, per a team announcement. The team has now inked ten of its eleven draft picks with third-round linebacker Oren Burks as the last remaining unsigned selection. 
Jackson was widely projected to be a mid-to-late first round pick heading into the draft. Fortunately for the Packers, the Big Ten defensive back of the year slipped to the middle of the second round, where they were about to pounce on him at No. 45.
The Iowa cornerback positioned himself as one of the best cornerbacks in this year’s draft with a breakout 2017 season. Jackson made a play on one out of every four targets in his direction and allowed zero touchdowns after Week 4 of the season. He finished out with eight interceptions, including three picks against Ohio State and two pick-sixes against Wisconsin. Jackson clearly thrives in pressure situations, though it’s possible that some teams cooled on him due to this being his only real big year in college.
The Packers project to start first-round cornerback Jaire Alexander and free agent addition Tramon Williams at cornerback. Jackson figures to be in the rotation behind them, along with veteran Davon House and second-year corner Kevin King.
Packers Not Pursuing Dez Bryant
Former Cowboys tight end Jason Witten thinks the Packers would be a logical landing spot for Dez Bryant, but we shouldn’t expect to see the wide receiver land in Green Bay. At this point, the Packers are not engaged with Bryant’s camp and nothing is imminent on that front, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (video link) hears. 
Shortly after Bryant’s release from the Cowboys, league sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN.com that the Packers were one of four potential destinations for the veteran. Some would argue that the Packers could use more firepower in the WR department, but Packers decision makers do not agree – or, at the very least, they do not see Bryant as a fit at this time.
Bryant turned down a multi-year offer from the Ravens earlier this offseason, a proposal that would have paid him roughly $21MM over three years. Bryant turned down Baltimore as his preference is to play on a one-year deal and cash in next year. Given the lack of league-wide interest in Bryant at this time, he may already be regretting that decision. Since then, the Ravens have moved on by signing restricted free agent Willie Snead.
Bryant’s lack of production in 2017 is obviously at the root of his employment problems, but one has to imagine his perceived attitude issues are also a factor.
Packers Notes: Bryant, Kizer
Dez Bryant remains unsigned, but former teammate Jason Witten has some thoughts on where he might land.
“I think he’s going to end up going to the Green Bay Packers,” Witten told ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (via Drew Davison of the Star-Telegram). “I think that’s a great spot for him. Aaron Rodgers, he throws that back-shoulder throw so well, and Dez [can have] great chemistry with a good quarterback that can put the ball wherever he wants.”
The Packers could be a logical fit for Bryant after the team moving on from Jordy Nelson earlier this offseason. The Packers added a proven weapon for Rodgers in tight end Jimmy Graham, but Bryant would fortify a wide receiver group that is currently headlined by Davante Adams, Randall Cobb, and Geronimo Allison.
Here’s more from Green Bay:
- Bryant’s market has been underwhelming, to say the least, but at least two talent evaluators tell Terez A. Paylor of Yahoo Sports they feel he can still be a contributor on the field. “I know his skillset is still there,” one evaluator said. “Maybe a change of scenery is what he needs to get back to those numbers he’s been putting up the previous years with [Tony] Romo. I certainly feel like he can still play at a very high level. He’s a football player and a very good one that’s sometimes misunderstood.” Reportedly, there are a number of teams who are unwilling to consider Bryant for even the league minimum, possibly because of his attitude.
- The Browns apparently didn’t see much in quarterback DeShone Kizer, but the Packers view him as a first-round caliber talent, as Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com writes. “In my opinion, if he was in that [draft] class this year, he would’ve been part of that group of first four guys, or first five,” coach Mike McCarthy said, in reference to Baker Mayfield (the No. 1 overall pick), Sam Darnold (No. 3), Josh Allen (No. 7), Josh Rosen (No. 10) and Lamar Jackson (No. 32). “I always felt there were five — the five quarterbacks — first-round guys.” The Packers acquired Kizer from Cleveland earlier this offseason in exchange for cornerback Damarious Randall.
- On Tuesday morning, the Packers formally inked first-round cornerback Jaire Alexander.
Packers Sign CB Jaire Alexander
The Packers announced the signing of first-round pick Jaire Alexander. The cornerback out of Louisville was the No. 18 overall selection in the draft.
Alexander put himself squarely in the Round 1 conversation despite missing time with a knee injury in 2017. Some evaluators had concerns about Alexander’s slender build leading to another injury, but the potential was too much for Green Bay to pass up.
The Packers moved around on draft night and still came away with the cornerback they wanted. The Packers shipped their original pick to the Saints for the No. 27 pick, a fifth-round choice, and the Saints’ first-round selection in 2019. Then, the Packers moved up nine spots by giving up their third and sixth-round choices in a swap with the Seahawks.
Alexander will get an opportunity to prove himself right off the bat with the Packers as he projects to start alongside free agent addition Tramon Williams. Veteran Davon House, 2017 second-round pick Kevin King, and this year’s second-rounder Josh Jackson are also in support.
As shown on PFR’s rookie contract tracker, the Alexander signing leaves Jackson and third-round linebacker Oren Burks as the last remaining unsigned members of the Packers’ draft class.
Which Packers UDFA Could Contribute In 2018?
- When eying undrafted rookies who could contribute to the Packers this season, ESPN’s Rob Demovsky says we should “follow the money.” Last season, five members of Green Bay’s undrafted class finished the season on the active roster, and four of those players had received the highest-possible signing bonus. This year, the Packers gave $6K signing bonuses (the top possible amount) to five of their 16 undrafted signings: offensive lineman Jacob Alsadek, quarterback Tim Boyle, center Austin Davis, defensive tackle Tyler Lancaster, and defensive end Conor Sheehy.
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Browns Claim P Justin Vogel, Waive QB Joel Stave
The Browns have swapped a quarterback for a special teamer. Cleveland claimed punter Justin Vogel off waivers from the Packers today. To make room on the roster, the team has waived quarterback Joel Stave.
After selecting J.K. Scott during last week’s draft, the Packers waived Vogel on Friday. The 24-year-old joined the organization last season as an undrafted free agent out of Miami, and he proceeded to appear in all 16 games. He finished the campaign averaging 44.4 yards per attempt, with a net average of 41 yards. He also landed 19 of his 71 punts inside of the 20-yard line. Cleveland is seemingly setting up a punter competition, as the team is also rostering Britton Colquitt.
Stave, a former standout at Wisconsin, has bounced around the league since going undrafted in 2016. He’s had brief stints with the Vikings, Seahawks, Chiefs, Redskins, Jets, and Browns. Cleveland is now rostering three signal-callers in Tyrod Taylor, Baker Mayfield, and Drew Stanton.
Packers Sign Six Draft Picks
The Packers announced the signings of six draft picks on Monday: 
- WR J’Mon Moore (fourth round)
- G Cole Madison (fifth)
- WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (fifth)
- WR Equanimeous St. Brown (sixth)
- DT James Looney (seventh)
- OLB Kendall Donnerson (seventh)
The Packers already signed fifth-round punter J.K. Scott and seventh-round long snapper Hunter Bradley, leaving only three draft picks left to sign in first-round cornerback Jaire Alexander, second-round cornerback Josh Jackson, and third-round linebacker Oren Burks.
Moore is viewed as a largely green prospect with a tendency to drop passes and has some questions about his maturity, but his physical tools prompted the Packers to use a fourth-round pick on him. Last year, he was Missouri’s leader in catches and receiving yards with 65 grabs for 1,082 yards and ten touchdowns.
Madison started all 13 games at right tackle for Washington State in 2017, but the Packers plan on using him at guard. The position change could suit him well as he lacks the ideal wingspan for a tackle and doesn’t always do a great job of anchoring himself against oncoming defensive linemen.
Packers, Rodgers Waiting On Other QB Deals?
Brian Gutekunst remains confident the Packers will sign Aaron Rodgers to an extension this offseason, telling Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk he expects an agreement “soon.” The first-year GM said both sides continue to work on a pact. Although, the negotiations likely just saw the price rise since Matt Ryan‘s five-year, $150MM extension raised the ceiling for quarterback contracts. However, Gutekunst told Florio before Ryan’s Falcons agreement was finalized that both the Packers and Rodgers may be waiting to see if any other quarterback deals are completed this offseason. With Kirk Cousins signed and Ryan now locked up through 2023, Rodgers’ deal is likely next on the QB docket. Although, it’s still possible the Patriots and Tom Brady revise the reigning MVP’s contract. With two years remaining on Rodgers’ deal, Florio estimates the final result will be a contract closer to Ryan’s through-2023 deal than Cousins’ three-year accord. He also expects Rodgers’ new deal to further raise the quarterback ceiling, one that’s climbed considerably since Derek Carr became the league’s first $25MM-AAV player less than a year ago.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/5/18
Here are Saturday’s minor moves.
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: LB Greer Martini
- Signed: TE Ryan Smith