Packers Pile Up

Gilleyen is a deep-threat and has good potential

The Packers rookie mini-camp ended a few days ago, when they first started their were only four spots left for the 90, after waiving tackle Chris Campbell, the Packers found them selves with five open spots. So did what every team with a Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, James Jones, Randall Cobb, and Donald Driver does, they add two more receivers. Lets take a look at these two receivers and the other three rookies the Packers signed after camp.

Shea Allard OT University of Delaware

The 6-5 305 pound Shea Allard has had an injury filled past. In 2007 he did not play, and he was on special teams during 2008. 2009 and 2010 Shea missed games due to illnesses and injuries, he started 9 out of ten games he played in 2009, played 13 games in 2010, but missed two because of injury.

Jarrett Boykin WR Virginia Tech

Boykin has nice size being 6-2, 218 pounds and during his college career was Virginia Tech’s main receiver. In 2008 he led the team in yards with 441, and was second in receptions.  From 2009 to 2011 he led the team in both categories totaling 2443 yards and 154 receptions. During college Boykin had 18 touchdowns.

Grant Cook OG Arkansas

Grant Cook’s size of 6-4, 318 pounds and skills have led him through a nice college career. He blocked for two 1,000 yard rushers and blocked a 3,000 yard passer twice as well. He was red-shirted in 2007, but as years went on he started to get more playing time and began to play the starting role often.

Curenski Gilleyen WR Nebraska

Gilleyen is the smaller of the two receivers, standing 5-11 and weighing in at 213 pounds, and has had an somewhat quiet college career. In all of college he had 17 catches, but Nebraska used him mainly only as a deep threat, and to take defensive backs down-field, thus preventing them to make a play. The Packers’ veterans (especially Nelson, who is a good deep threat himself) and coaches could bring out more of Gilleyen’s potential over time and develop him in to a great receiver.

Otis Merrill CB Illinois State

Otis Merrill was the only defensive tryout player we signed, he has decent size (5-11, 188 pounds), and is a hard worker. His best season was in 2011, when he started 10 out of his 11 games and totaled 41 tackles. In that season he also had four broken passes, 1 forced fumble, 1 interception and 1.5 tackles for a loss.

The Packers brought in some nice players from their mini-camp, I doubt any will make the 53-man roster but they all have untapped potential. In a few years I would not be surprised if one of these players made the 53.