The Green Bay Packers signed 10 undrafted free agents following the 2025 NFL draft. With several large draft classes over the last few years, making the 53-man roster as an undrafted free agent has become increasingly difficult in Green Bay, but the franchise has a long-running history of giving rookie free agents a legitimate chance to win a roster spot at training camp.
Which undrafted rookie has the best shot to make the 53-man roster in 2025? The staff at Packers Wire was unanimous in their answer: Georgia defensive lineman Nazir Stackhouse.
Not only was Stackhouse a draftable-caliber player based on performance, but he could fix a roster need and fill a specific and fairly important role along the Packers defensive front as a rookie.
Here’s why the staff at Packers Wire thinks Stackhouse is the team’s best bet for an undrafted rookie sticking on the 53:
Zach Kruse
This is the marriage of a solid, role-specific player landing in the perfect spot for making a roster. Dane Brugler of The Athletic actually had Stackhouse rated higher on his defensive line big board than Warren Brinson, who the Packers took in the sixth round. Unlike Brinson, who has positional versatility and some pass-rushing upside, Stackhouse might be pigeonholed as a nose tackle, but he plays the two-gapping role extremely well and the Packers need this exact type of player after losing TJ Slaton. He’s a big, strong and reliable run defender who started for three seasons along a talented Georgia front and consistently made an impact by disrupting runs or keeping linebackers clean behind him. The upside on Stackhouse isn’t impressive but he is an ideal fit as a nose tackle in the 4-3 front.
Brandon Carwile
Stackhouse was a post-draft steal by the Packers. The Georgia product received a Day 3 grade from draft analyst Lance Zierlein and The Draft Network—suggesting he was talented enough to be selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. A three-year starter for the Bulldogs, Stackhouse specialized in eating up blocks and stuffing the run. Over those three seasons, he earned run defense grades of 86.1, 74.8, and 83.1 from Pro Football Focus. At 6-4 and 327 pounds, Stackhouse is the heaviest player on Green Bay’s roster and difficult to move off his spot. With the Packers not re-signing starting nose tackle TJ Slaton, there’s a realistic path for Stackhouse to make the roster spot as an undrafted rookie.
With TJ Slaton out of the picture, there’s a path for #Packers UDFA Nazir Stackhouse to not only make the roster but perhaps even get playing time as an early-down run defender in 2025. pic.twitter.com/6VQoMagik7
Brennen Rupp
At 6-3, 327 pounds, Stackhouse is a brick house. The former four-star recruit can be hard to uproot and eats up double teams. He has thunder in his hands to stun offensive linemen. While he may not always make the play he’ll help keep linebackers clean to make plays behind the line of scrimmage. Over the past three seasons, he’s recorded 43 run stops. While he offers little to nothing as an interior pass rusher, Stackhouse controls his gap and could step in immediately and earn a two-down role for the Packers.
Mark Oldacres
After T.J. Slaton left in free agency, Stackhouse is the only true nose tackle body type on the Packers roster at over 6-3 and 327 pounds. He therefore has a leg up on the other UDFAs, as there is a legitimate defensive role up for grabs which he could fill. Stackhouse is a space eater in the run game and does it very well, which is a valuable and necessary skill set. He lacks upside or any kind of pass rush ability, and there are five drafted defensive tackles on the depth chart ahead of him, so he is not a lock to make the team by any means, but his niche could not only win him a place on the 53, but also earn him regular snaps on early downs as a rookie.
Who else could impress?
LB Jamon Johnson: An All-American at Georgia in 2022, Johnson transferred to Kentucky in 2024 and led the Wildcats in tackles. He’s big, tough and athletic, was productive across multiple seasons in the SEC and could have special teams potential at the next level. He’ll likely push for a spot at linebacker.
OL Tyler Cooper: The Wisconsin native played snaps at both left and right guard at Minnesota and proved to be a capable pass-blocker (allowed only 15 total pressures in 2023 and 2024 combined) at both interior spots. He’s also well-versed in the zone blocking scheme he’ll now play in Green Bay. Many thought Cooper had a real chance to get drafted.
DB Johnathan Baldwin: The Packers gave him $115,000 guaranteed, so they like the player and the potential. Baldwin played all over UNLV’s defensive secondary but likely profiles best as a slot corner in the NFL. He’s a disruptive player going forward against the run and screen games and as a blitzer, and he produced three picks and 10 pass breakups during an outstanding 2024 season.
RB Amar Johnson: The South Dakota State star has a little Aaron Jones to his game. He’s 5-9 and 205, with a low center of gravity, good contact balance, burst on perimeter runs and the shake/wiggle in the open field to make people miss. He tested at 4.39 in the 40 but he’s not a premier home run hitter. With positive experience as a blocker, receiver and kick returner, Johnson could make a strong case as a versatile backup behind Josh Jacobs, MarShawn Lloyd and Emanuel Wilson.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Among Packers UDFAs, DL Nazir Stackhouse has best chance to make 53-man roster in 2025
Reporting by Zach Kruse, Brandon Carwile, Brennen Rupp and Mark Oldacres, Packers Wire / Packers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
