Sterling Johnson

QB Tommy Stevens Trying Out For Packers As TE

Yet another player is attempting a position change to tight end. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports (via Twitter) that quarterback Tommy Stevens is auditioning for the Packers next week as a tight end. Defensive back Rashard Robinson and nose tackle Sterling Johnson will also be working out for the team.

Stevens was in and out of the lineup during his time at Penn State and Mississippi State, but he showed promise both with his arm and on the ground. Thanks to that potential, he was drafted by the Saints in the seventh round of the 2020 draft…but the team chose the prospect as a tight end. So, while we’ve seen the likes of Tim Tebow and Jordan Matthews attempt their own changes to tight end, Stevens already has a bit of experience at the position.

Stevens didn’t end up making New Orleans’ active roster, but he did stick around their practice squad for most of the campaign. He later caught on with the Panthers (as a quarterback), and he ended up making his NFL debut in Carolina’s Week 17 loss to the Saints. Stevens got four carries in that game for 24 rushing yards.

If the 24-year-old gets a deal, he’ll still have an uphill battle to make the Packers roster. The top of the team’s depth chart features Robert Tonyan, Marcedes Lewis, and Jace Sternberger, meaning Stevens would be competing with the likes of Josiah Deguara, Isaac Nauta, Dominique Dafney, and Bronson Kaufusi for a final roster spot.

Robinson, a former fourth-round pick, has seen time in 42 games across five seasons in the NFL. After spending his first two seasons split between the 49ers and Jets, the defensive back ended up sitting out the 2019 season thanks (in part) to a 10-game suspension. The 25-year-old caught on with the Cowboys in 2020, seeing time in four games (three starts) and finishing with 20 tackles.

The 6-foot-4, 285-pound Johnson went undrafted in 2020. He spent time with the Jets and Steelers over the past year-plus.

Minor NFL Transactions: 9/2/20

We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here:

Atlanta Falcons

Carolina Panthers

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

  • Acquired via trade: 2021 7th-Round Pick (from Giants)

Minnesota Vikings

New York Giants

New York Jets

  • Signed: RB Pete Guerriero
  • Waived: LB B.J. Bello, DL Sterling Johnson

San Francisco 49ers

Tennessee Titans

Jets Sign 9 Undrafted Free Agents

In this unusual offseason, teams’ UDFA classes are emerging at a slower pace. The Jets have announced theirs. Here is Gang Green’s full list:

Both wide receivers the Jets drafted transferred from other Division I-FBS schools before the 2019 season, with Cager spending most of his college career at Miami and Campbell playing at Florida State for much of his. Both will look the part in Jets camp. Cager is 6-foot-5; Campbell goes 6-4. Campbell had by far his most productive college season in 2019, averaging 24.7 yards per catch and leading the Mountaineers with seven touchdown grabs. Cager caught a career-high 33 passes in his Hurricanes season, turning those into 476 yards. The Jets drafted one wide receiver and declared Quincy Enunwa out for the year.

Hilbers was the Huskies’ starting left tackle in 2018 but lined up at right tackle last season. Huff led Memphis in sacks over the past two seasons. He recorded 9.5 as a junior to go along with 19.5 tackles for loss. Prior to moving to the Huskers’ defensive backfield and becoming a three-year starter, Jackson was a high-end high school quarterback recruit. He ranked higher than the NFL’s other Lamar Jackson in that regard.

A top-10 cornerback recruit out of high school, Carter started two years as a safety for the Crimson Tide. He returned two interceptions for scores in 2018. Guidry brings an intriguing athletic profile. The ex-high school sprint phenom’s 4.29-second 40-yard dash time trailed only Henry Ruggs‘ at the Combine. While the top pros in U.S. sprinting often do not compete at the Indoor Track and Field Championships, Guidry placed sixth in the 60-meter dash at the 2019 U.S. meet — despite Utah not having a men’s track team. On the field, the 5-9 corner started 25 games with the Utes. The Jets drafted one corner, Virginia’s Bryce Hall, this year.