Will the Green Bay Packers Keep Their 21-Year UDFA Streak Alive?
For more than two decades, the Green Bay Packers have maintained one of the most impressive roster-building streaks in professional football. For 21 consecutive years, at least one undrafted free agent has cracked the team’s initial 53-man Week 1 roster.
Green Bay Packers UDFA Streak
Started by former general manager Ted Thompson and continued by Brian Gutekunst, this streak proves that Green Bay thoroughly scouts talent well beyond the seventh round. Last year, defensive lineman Nazir Stackhouse kept the tradition alive.
Heading into the 2026 season, the path for an undrafted rookie feels wider than ever. The Green Bay Packers tied a franchise record for their smallest draft class, selecting only six players. This leaves plenty of available spots at the bottom of the depth chart. Let’s look at the undrafted rookies with the best chance to make the team this summer.
J. Michael Sturdivant: The Athletic Anomaly
You cannot teach size and speed, and J. Michael Sturdivant has plenty of both. Measuring nearly 6-foot-3 and clocking a 4.40-second 40-yard dash, the former Florida wide receiver possesses an elite athletic profile.
Sturdivant looked like a future superstar during his 2022 campaign at Cal, catching 65 passes for 755 yards. While his production dipped after transferring to UCLA and eventually Florida, much of that decline stemmed from inconsistent quarterback play rather than a lack of talent. Playing with Jordan Love could easily unlock his potential. Green Bay always keeps a close eye on big, fast receivers, giving Sturdivant a realistic shot at claiming the sixth receiver spot.
Dillon Wade: Trench Versatility
The Green Bay Packers value offensive line versatility more than almost any other franchise. If you can play multiple spots, you drastically improve your chances of making the team. Enter Dillon Wade.
During his collegiate career across Tulane and Auburn, Wade started 49 games. He logged 31 starts at left tackle, 17 at left guard, and one at right tackle. He even practiced snapping the ball at center during his free time to prepare for the professional level. Following the offseason departures of Elgton Jenkins and Rasheed Walker, Green Bay needs reliable depth on the offensive line. Wade’s ability to plug into multiple interior spots makes him an incredibly valuable asset.
T.J. Quinn: Follow the Money
Sometimes, the easiest way to predict roster spots is to follow the money. Following the draft, the Green Bay Packers signed Louisville linebacker T.J. Quinn and handed him $150,000 in guaranteed salary. That matches the exact guaranteed figure they gave to Nazir Stackhouse last year.
Quinn lacks ideal size for a traditional linebacker at 225 pounds, but he makes up for it with blazing speed. He ran a 4.52-second 40-yard dash at his pro day and racked up 289 tackles during his three years as a starter for the Cardinals. His sideline-to-sideline speed makes him an ideal candidate to become a core special teams contributor right out of the gate.
Filling Needs at Running Back and Tight End
Because Green Bay only drafted six players, they entirely skipped over several offensive positions. They did not draft a running back or a traditional blocking tight end, leaving the door wide open for two specific UDFAs.
Jaden Nixon, a running back out of UCF, brings explosive speed to the backfield. He averaged an incredible 7.8 yards per carry last season and possesses proven kickoff return ability. With Emanuel Wilson departing in free agency, Nixon has a clear runway to earn a depth role.
Meanwhile, Wake Forest tight end Eni Falayi brings the size Green Bay desperately needs. Gutekunst admitted after the draft that he wanted to add a traditional Y-tight end to handle blocking duties. At nearly 6-foot-5 and 249 pounds, Falayi boasts the physical frame required to move defensive ends and secure the edge in the run game.
The battle for the final few roster spots will heat up quickly during training camp. Given the raw talent of this undrafted class and the available room on the depth chart, you can safely bet on the Packers pushing their legendary streak to 22 years.
