Former Packers Still Available in Free Agency
Late in free agency, there are still some potential gems on the market. Some of them have Green Bay ties, including several who played big roles (good and bad) in some key Packers moments. Here are the most notable ones.
Something Left in the Tank (But Probably Not Much)
CB Tramon Williams, 34 years old
Last played for: Cleveland Browns
This fan favorite played 11 years in the league after starting out as an undrafted free agent out of Louisiana Tech. Eliot Wolf played an instrumental role in bringing Williams to Green Bay.
LB Erik Walden, 31 years old
Last played for: Indianapolis Colts
Walden’s departure to the Indianapolis Colts in 2013 netted the Packers a fifth-round compensatory pick, which they used to select wide receiver Jared Abbrederis.
RB James Starks, 31 years old
Last played for: Green Bay Packers
Starks started Super Bowl XLV for the Packers, and was one of Ted Thompson’s best sixth round picks. Injuries derailed Starks from becoming a full-time starter.
DE Cullen Jenkins, 36 years old
Last played for: Washington Redskins
Initially billed as a smaller, possibly less talented version of his Pro Bowl-caliber brother, Jenkins carved out a 13 year NFL career. He could be done, but who knows?
Unrealized Potential
LB Sam Barrington, 26 years old
Last played for: New Orleans Saints
This time last year, Barrington was the odds-on favorite to win one of the Packers two starting inside linebacker jobs. Instead, he didn’t start for anyone last year, playing seven games for the Chiefs and Saints.
TE Jake Stoneburner, 27 years old
Last played for: Jacksonville Jaguars
One of the best names in recent Packers history, Stoneburner last suited up for an NFL game in 2015. He caught two touchdown passes for the Jaguars that year, then spent parts of last season on the Rams and Saints practice squads.
OL Greg Van Roten, 27 years old
Last played for: Jacksonville Jaguars
After a couple years in the Canadian Football League, Van Roten briefly spent time with the Jacksonville Jaguars this offseason. Van Roten has a bachelor’s degree in economics from an Ivy League school. Why is he still trying to play football?
TE Kennard Backman, 24 years old
Last played for: Detroit Lions
An athletic project tight end, Backman never made a catch in Green Bay. Since leaving the Packers in 2016, he’s made brief appearances on the Patriots’ and Lions’ practice squads.
Cup o’ Coffee Running Backs
RB Rajion Neal, 25 years old
Last played for: Cleveland Browns
Neal looked to be in good shape to make the 53 man roster during his only training camp in Green Bay, but an injury late in the preseason scuttled those chances. He’s bounced around the league since then, last getting work with the Cleveland Browns.
RB John Crockett, 25 years old
Last played for: Green Bay Packers
Crockett was a popular name to win the Packers’ third-string running back job, and performed well enough to spend the 2016-2017 season on injured reserve. He was released after the playoffs.
RB Brandon Burks, 23 years old
Last played for: New York Jets
2016 was a frustrating first NFL season for Brandon Burks. He made the Packers’ 53-man roster only to be released a day later in favor of Jhurell Pressley. After a stint on the Packers’ practice squad, he ended up on the active roster for the New York Jets. In his only game with the Jets, he rushed twice for -4 yards.
RB Christine Michael, 26 years old
Last played for: Green Bay Packers
Christine Michael’s time in Green Bay played out much as it has everywhere else during his still brief NFL career: glimpses of tantalizing athleticism mixed with frustrating inconsistency.
He Who Must Not Be Named
TE Brandon Bostick, 28 years old
Last played for: New York Jets
Sigh. Probably best we leave Brandon alone.
