Several Undrafted Rookies Could Stick

It's tough enough to guesstimate whether first- and second-round draft picks will use their can't-miss skills and actually succeed in the National Football League.

That task is nearly impossible when it comes to undrafted rookies, those who weren't deemed among the 252 best players during the annual selection process. Talk about your Mr. Irrelevants!

But at least a couple of these guys beat the odds with many NFL teams every year, and Green Bay general manager Ted Thompson is one talent evaluator who's become adept at finding these gems that nobody wanted.

Examples on the Packers roster include cornerback/kick returner Tramon Williams, linebacker/special teams stalwart Jason Hunter and backup wide receiver Ruvell Martin.

Green Bay's increased depth and talent pool will make it that much more difficult for this year's crop of new free agents to survive, but several of them are on my radar:

• Running back Kregg Lumpkin produced at Georgia when healthy and plays a position that wasn't addressed in the seven-round draft.
• Notre Dame long snapper J.J. Jansen has been nearly flawless in about 300 snaps since 2005, including 114 times last year that featured 76 punts.
• Portland State center Brennan Carvalho participated in the Hula Bowl and was a two-time All-American and has played guard.
• Connecticut linebacker Danny Lansanah was an all-Big East pick in 2007 and recorded 10 career interceptions.

My crystal ball tells me that at least six of Green Bay's nine choices will make the final roster: wide receiver Jordy Nelson, quarterback Brian Brohm, cornerback Patrick Lee, tight end Jermichael Finley, defensive end Jeremy Thompson and offensive lineman Josh Sitton, while offensive tackle Breno Giacomini and quarterback Matt Flynn have outside shots depending on how the positional numbers break down and how many injuries pop up.

If they don't make the 53-man roster, several of the undrafted newcomers should stick on the practice squad. But Thompson usually trades conditional future draft picks (to get such guys as Ryan Grant) or grabs released players from other teams to round out the last few spots, so only time will tell.

Justin Beaver Deserves Shot in NFL Camp

Justin Beaver's workout numbers were nearly as good as, and sometimes better than, Darren McFadden of Arkansas, the No. 4 overall selection and first running back chosen in the National Football League's draft this past weekend. Beaver showed off his speed, agility and strength at the University of Wisconsin's pro day, including 4.45 seconds in the 40-yard dash and 25 repetitions in the bench press (225 pounds).

But one measurable that works against the former UW-Whitewater standout and NCAA Division III Gagliardi Trophy winner is his 5-7, 191-pound frame. The NFL isn't loaded with players that size. But as true football people know, the human heart can't be measured.

So, Beaver gets his chance to prove his worth this weekend as one of the undrafted free agents who'll participate in Green Bay's rookie minicamp. And no one deserves a tryout more than Beaver.

He rambled for 2,455 yards in 2007, breaking his own Division III standard that he set as a sophomore, while leading the Warhawks to the national championship with a 31-21 victory against Mount Union.

Beaver darted through the Raiders for 249 yards on 31 carries, including a 66-yard burst that led to the clinching touchdown in the final two minutes of the Stagg Bowl. The Palmyra-Eagle High School star and UW-W took the spotlight away from two-time defending champion Mount Union, which featured Pierre Garcon, who was drafted with a compensatory pick late in the sixth round by the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.

The results don't lie, and nobody knows that better than Packers general manager Ted Thompson, who was impressed enough to invite Beaver in for a closer look.

Here's hoping the Wisconsin-grown product turns some heads and gets a spot on Green Bay's 80-man off-season roster.