Reggie Gilbert joined the Packers as an undrafted free agent in May of 2016. Nearly a year and a half later, he finally got a shot to show what he could do.

2017 Stats

• Appeared in two games with no starts (86 snaps on defense, 18 on special teams)
• Recorded two tackles and one sack

Expectations going into the season: Low
Expectations were: Met

Analysis: Gilbert produces when finally given a chance

We’ve been pushing for Reggie Gilbert for quite some time. Two of our three training camp roster predictions featured Gilbert on the final 53. The Packers didn’t agree, stashing him on the practice squad until the playoffs were officially out of reach.

When he finally made it to the game day roster, Gilbert immediately got significant playing time and produced. In their two games on the active roster together, Gilbert (86) got nearly three times as many snaps on defense as fourth round pick Vince Biegel (27) and Chris Odom (10), the player for whom Gilbert was cut to make room, combined.

Keeping him on the practice squad all season while Odom took up space on the active roster was a silly mistake, the kind that new general manager Brian Gutekunst has specifically said he hopes to avoid. Every player on the roster should have to compete at all times, Gutekunst has said. Giving players like Gilbert a shot would be a great way to accomplish that goal.