The Green Bay Packers, like every team in the NFL, are hoping that they find keepers in unexpected places during training camp. Usually, the place that those players will come from is the undrafted free agent group.
The Packers have a number of them on the roster during training camp and some have already been waived. But, there are always a few that outperform expectations and catch the attention of the coaching staff.
Over at Bleacher Report, Kristopher Knox selected an undrafted free agent that has the best chance to make each roster in the NFL. For the Packers, Knox selected Brenton Cox Jr., an edge rusher out of Florida.
It was a bit surprising that Cox went undrafted as the he was ranked No. 120 on the Bleacher Report big board heading into the draft. That ranking would suggest that he was an early Day 3 pick, but he didn’t hear his name called.
“Brenton Cox Jr. is a physically imposing edge defender who can set the edge as a run defender and win with power as a pass-rusher,” Matt Holder of the B/R Scouting Department wrote. “His strength at the point of attack is impressive and helps him put offensive tackles on their heels.”
Despite playing in only eight games last season, Cox registered eight tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks. In the previous two seasons, he registered 24.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks, living in the opponent’s backfield.
He only played in eight games because he was dismissed from the program for multiple reasons. Previously, he was dismissed from Georgia because of a marijuana related arrest and having run-ins with the coaching staff. Character concerns like that will lead to many teams just taking a player off their board.
Alas, in the NFL, talent always wins out. If you can show that you can help a team win games, they will take a shot on you. For the Packers, who could be in need of some pass rushing options if Rashan Gary isn’t able to go when the season opens up, Cox could be a perfect addition for the team.
The Packers recently released Jonathan Garvin, which should bode well for Cox’s chances of making the roster. Garvin had appeared in 30 games with the Packers the last two seasons, so that is at least one pass rushing spot on the 53-man roster that has been opened up.
