The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who the Green Bay Packers could select in the 2026 NFL draft.
Draft good football players. If it were only that easy.
When talking about straight-up good football players in the 2026 NFL Draft class, Sam Roush is at the top of the list. The Stanford tight end checks in at No. 19 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.
Roush’s bloodlines could take forever to go through. His family tree is bonkers. His father, Luke played football at Duke, while his mother, Brooke played volleyball at Montana State. His maternal grandfather played football at Utah State and played in the NFL for three different teams. His maternal great uncle is a Pro Football Hall of Famer. Another maternal great uncle played in the NFL and played college football at BYU. His paternal grandfather played football at Ohio. HIs paternal great grandfather played baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals. His paternal uncle played football at Northwestern. His cousin played football at BYU.
The point being, Roush was born to be an athlete.
A four-star recruit, Roush played primarliy on special teams during his first season at Stanford, logging 297 snaps and recording three tackles. In 2023, Roush caught 28 passes for 288 yards and one touchdown. The following season he recorded 40 receptions for 334 yards and two touchdowns.
During his final season at Stanford, Roush recorded career highs in receptions (49) and yards (545). He also hauled in two touchdowns.
“Roush was a big part of the offense this past season,” Ben Parker, the publisher for Stanford Rivals, said. “Whenever Stanford had a successful game, it was almost always due to Roush having at least one big play. He was a reliable target in the passing game, did a good job blocking, and was an all-around great team leader. He meant a lot to what they were doing and if he had better quarterback play, his numbers would have been even better than they already were. The fact that he was top ten in the nation among tight ends in receiving yards speaks volumes.”
At 6-6, 267 pounds, Roush is ready-made to handle the responsibilities of in-line blocking duties. He’s a physical player with a rugby background. He has the play strength to stun defenders at contact and bury them. He’s comfortable as a lead blocker and works hard to stay engaged.
“Roush takes his blocking duties seriously,” Parker said. “He works extremely hard and pays attention to detail. He also has a good body on him at 6’5”, 260 pounds. That physical frame makes him a good blocker as well. He’s got the physical tools, the skill, and the mentality to be a good blocker. That’s why he excels in that area.”
Roush enters his routes with urgency and does a good job of making himself available as an outlet. He stays collected in and out of his breaks. With his frame and toughness, he can be a load to take down when he gets rolling. He flashes the quickness to pull away from defenders with the ball in his hands and to create separation. According to Pro Football Focus, Roush racked up 319 yards after the catch this past season and averaged 6.5 YAC per reception. Of his 49 receptions, 20 of them resulted in a first down.
“Roush has good hands and speed,” Parker said. “He is also surprisingly agile for his size. He can juke guys a bit and make plays in the open space. He does need to work on his hands a bit. That’s why I said he has “good hands” not “great hands.” There were a few drops he had that he’d like to have back. Assuming he can improve in that area, he should be able to be a real threat in the passing game.”
Roush finished his career at Stanford with 529 snaps on special teams to his name. He could provide an immediate impact as a core special teams player.
“The physical tools are all there,” Parker said. “While it might take him a bit of time to establish himself in the tight end rotation the next level, he absolutely can come in right away and be a difference maker in special teams.”
Fit with the Packers
Tucker Kraft has developed into one of the top tight ends in the league and was well on his way to putting up gaudy numbers before suffering a torn ACL this past season. Luke Musgrave has failed to develop into the playmaker the Packers envisioned when they drafted him in the second-round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Kraft figures to get an extension at some point this offseason, while Musgrave could be getting ready for his final season with the Packers.
With Josh Whyle also in the fold, the Packers don’t have a pressing need at tight end. However, with Kraft coming off a torn ACL and Musgrave entering a contract year, the Packers could look to add to the tight end room as they search for Kraft’s long-term running mate.
Roush is just a heck of a football player and has everything needed to be legit No. 2 tight end. He’d be a perfect sidekick to Kraft. He could be a potential target with the 84th pick and if he’s still on the board when the Packers are on the clock in the fourth round, he’d be a slam dunk pick.
“I would draft Sam Roush because he’s a high character guy who works hard and is willing to do whatever is asked of him all while having great physical tools to work with,” Parker said. “That’s a great combination to have. He’s also a smart player who understands the game well. He is 100% a guy who would be worth considering adding to your team.”
Roush is a well-rounded, traditional Y tight end. You need him to block in-line? Consider it done. Need him to be a weapon in the passing game? He’ll move the chains for you and be a RAC threat as well. He’ll be a hired gun on special teams. Draft good football players. Roush is a good football player.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Unpacking Future Packers: No. 19, Stanford TE Sam Roush
Reporting by Brennen Rupp, Packers Wire / Packers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
