If you're an avid reader of Acme Packing Company, you know that I feel like the Green Bay Packers show their cards a bit when it comes to pre-draft visitors. Since 2022, when the Packers appeared to have changed their visit strategy from almost being used exclusively on undrafted free agent rookie recruiting to more of a mix of picks and free agent prospects, Green Bay has signed, traded for, drafted or claimed on waivers 36 players who were pre-draft visitors with the team.
Often, when these players become available (some of them never become available, because they were high draft picks who were picked before the Packers were on the clock), Green Bay ends up targeting them in some way or another. While players like Darian Kinnard, John FitzPatrick and Josh Whyle weren't originally picked by the Packers, they did find their way to Green Bay later in their careers.
So, when a pre-draft visitor becomes available, my radar always goes up, especially if it's the first time the Packers have had a shot at bringing them to Green Bay since draft weekend. That's the case right now with New York Giants running back Damon Bankston, who was waived by the team on Saturday.
Bankston took a pre-draft visit with the Packers this spring, but ended up signing with the Giants for $115,000 guaranteed, far more than Green Bay spent on their UDFA running back signing, Jaden Nixon — who was added to the offseason roster for $15,000 guaranteed.
The New Mexico product was an interesting sleeper prospect in the class of 2026, as he posted 635 rushing yards (5.6 yards per carry), five touchdowns on the ground and caught 31 ****** for 397 yards and three touchdowns (12.8 yards per reception, a very high number for backs) through the air in his one year of FBS football. The numbers don't exactly look incredible from a volume perspective, but he was very efficient in the 9-4 Lobos' running back by committee (and he led the team in yards from scrimmage).
#available #running
Often, when these players become available (some of them never become available, because they were high draft picks who were picked before the Packers were on the clock), Green Bay ends up targeting them in some way or another. While players like Darian Kinnard, John FitzPatrick and Josh Whyle weren't originally picked by the Packers, they did find their way to Green Bay later in their careers.
So, when a pre-draft visitor becomes available, my radar always goes up, especially if it's the first time the Packers have had a shot at bringing them to Green Bay since draft weekend. That's the case right now with New York Giants running back Damon Bankston, who was waived by the team on Saturday.
Bankston took a pre-draft visit with the Packers this spring, but ended up signing with the Giants for $115,000 guaranteed, far more than Green Bay spent on their UDFA running back signing, Jaden Nixon — who was added to the offseason roster for $15,000 guaranteed.
The New Mexico product was an interesting sleeper prospect in the class of 2026, as he posted 635 rushing yards (5.6 yards per carry), five touchdowns on the ground and caught 31 ****** for 397 yards and three touchdowns (12.8 yards per reception, a very high number for backs) through the air in his one year of FBS football. The numbers don't exactly look incredible from a volume perspective, but he was very efficient in the 9-4 Lobos' running back by committee (and he led the team in yards from scrimmage).
#available #running
5 hours ago
