The 2026 NFL Draft has officially concluded, but for the Green Bay Packers, the focus swiftly turns to building depth through undrafted free agents (UDFAs). General manager Brian Gutekunst and his staff have moved quickly to add a promising group of eight players who will compete for roster spots during rookie minicamp and training camp.
Multiple credible sources, including Packers Wire and NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, report these additions as the first wave of undrafted signings for the Packers, a typical strategy to deepen competition and uncover hidden gems after the draft.
Below is a detailed look at the reported signings and what the Packers' front office and coaching staff, led by head coach Matt LaFleur and offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich, hope to gain from this group.
Reported UDFA Signings
The Packers have reportedly signed the following players as undrafted free agents:
- QB Kyron Drones, Virginia Tech
- LB TJ Quinn, Louisville
- G Josh Gesky, Illinois
- WR J. Michael Sturdivant, Florida
- RB Jaden Nixon, UCF
- TE RJ Maryland, SMU
- TE Eni Falayi, SMU
These players will join a competitive training camp roster, although their contracts have not yet been officially confirmed by the team.
Quarterback Depth Bolstered by Kyron Drones
Among the signings, quarterback Kyron Drones stands out. At 6-foot-2 and 230 pounds, Drones spent three seasons with Virginia Tech after transferring from Baylor. He offers a dual-threat skill set that fits the mold of the modern NFL quarterback.
In 2024, Drones completed 59.4% of his passes, throwing for 2,533 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions, while rushing for over 800 yards and scoring 8 times on the ground. His strong arm and ability to extend plays with his legs are attributes that Packers offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich values.
Drones faces stiff competition in Green Bay's quarterback room, with Jordan Love entrenched as the starter, backed by Kyle McCord and Desmond Ridder as developmental options. Drones will need to make a strong impression in preseason to secure a roster or practice squad spot.
Tight Ends Look to Make Impact
The Packers have added two tight ends in RJ Maryland and Eni Falayi, both from SMU. RJ Maryland, son of former No. 1 overall pick and three-time Super Bowl champion Russell Maryland, brings strong receiving production and football pedigree.
Maryland caught 83 passes for 1,234 yards and 12 touchdowns over his last two collegiate seasons. He is a 6-foot-4, 245-pound move tight end with reliable hands and enough speed to be an effective seam threat, especially in the red zone. While not the strongest blocker, his receiving ability could find him a valuable role in the Packers offense.
Eni Falayi, at 6-foot-5 and approximately 250 pounds, offers a more developmental profile. His blocking potential is promising, though his receiving production was limited in college. He will need to prove that he can translate his physical tools into NFL value.
Green Bay's established tight end roster already includes Tucker Kraft, Luke Musgrave, Messiah Swinson, and Josh Whyle. Maryland and Falayi will provide additional competition and potential depth.
Linebacker Depth With TJ Quinn
Linebacker TJ Quinn from Louisville represents the physical and athletic traits the Packers seek at the position. Quinn tallied 89 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks in his final season, earning All-ACC honorable mention.
While the Packers feature an established group with Quay Walker, Isaiah McDuffie, and Ty'Ron Hopper, Quinn's sideline-to-sideline ability and toughness could provide valuable competition. Like many UDFAs, he will likely have to prove his value on special teams to earn a spot.
Offensive Line Depth from Josh Gesky
Josh Gesky, a 6-foot-5, 310-pound guard from Illinois, is a three-year starter with experience against top Big Ten competition. Known as a strong run blocker, Gesky will compete with other interior offensive linemen including Aaron Banks and Sean Rhyan.
Green Bay's front office has a long history of developing offensive line talent, and Gesky fits the profile of a developmental guard who could become a reliable depth option.
Skill Position Adds: J. Michael Sturdivant and Jaden Nixon
The Packers also brought in wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant from Florida, a 6-foot-3 receiver noted for contested catches and red zone potential. He transferred from UCLA and recorded 40 receptions for 523 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2024. Sturdivant will need to sharpen his route-running and gain separation to stand out.
Running back Jaden Nixon from UCF is a change-of-pace back known for his explosive speed and home-run ability. Nixon rushed for 1,076 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2024, averaging 6.2 yards per carry. Though undersized, his explosiveness and special teams ability could earn him a role as a kick returner.
What Comes Next for the Packers' UDFA Group
Green Bay typically signs 10-15 undrafted free agents each offseason, so more additions are expected soon to provide depth and competition.
The franchise has a strong recent history of finding quality contributors among undrafted players, with names such as Tramon Williams and Tarvarius Moore underscoring the value of scouting beyond the draft.
The road ahead for these UDFAs is challenging, but the Packers' coaching staff led by head coach Matt LaFleur and defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon will evaluate them thoroughly during rookie minicamp and training camp.
For Packers fans, these signings represent hope for new talent development and competition that strengthens the roster as the team heads into the 2026 season.
Stay tuned for further updates as the Packers continue to shape their undrafted free agent class.