The Packers have long ago developed a reputation for building through the NFL Draft, but this spring, at least one of Green Bay’s undrafted rookie free agents could carve out an immediate role.
Given that Tucker Kraft is coming off a torn ACL, and Luke Musgrave has struggled to stay healthy, the opportunity is there for rookie tight end R.J. Maryland to rise up the depth chart and into quarterback Jordan Love’s target hierarchy.
RJ Maryland could be Packers undrafted rookie to watch
Over at Packers on SI, veteran reporter Bill. Huber lists Maryland as one of Green Bay’s undrafted rookies with the most at stake during upcoming OTA and minicamp practices.
“Maryland,” Huber writes for SI. “The son of longtime NFL standout Russell Maryland, who finished his career with the Packers – in four seasons at SMU caught 113 passes for 1,495 yards and 19 touchdowns. At 6-foot-3 5/8 and 236 pounds with 4.51 speed in the 40, Maryland is more overgrown receiver than traditional tight end. He caught 14-of-26 targets thrown 20-plus yards downfield during his career.
“We’ll have to wait until August to determine whether R.J. Maryland is capable of doing the dirty work necessary to play tight end, but the shorts-and-helmets practices should show whether he has the pass-catching skill to make it in the NFL as a matchup weapon.”
During his final collegiate season, Maryland pulled down 27 receptions for 322 yards and four touchdowns, and while his most NFL upside could come as a blocking tight end, if he can live up to the receiving chops Huber suggests, he could be an ideal insurance policy on Kraft and Musgrave’s lengthy injury histories.
