With Jean-Charles Signed, Five Packers Draft Picks Are Under Contract
GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers signed fifth-round cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles in time for the start of rookie camp on Friday, a source said.
Green Bay also signed sixth-round offensive tackle Cole Van Lanen and sixth-round linebacker Isaiah McDuffie as well as fifth-round defensive tackle T.J. Slaton and seventh-round running back Kylin Hill. That means at least five of the nine draft picks are under contract.
Jean-Charles earned some first-team All-American accolades as a senior, when he led the nation with 17 passes defensed (one interception, 16 breakups). Over his two seasons as a starter, he led the nation with 27 passes defensed (two interceptions, 25 breakups) and contributed 82 tackles, two forced fumbles and one tackle for loss.
Having used his first-round pick on Georgia’s Eric Stokes, general manager Brian Gutekunst was happy to double-up at a position of need at the end of the fifth round.
“I really was (surprised he was available),” Gutekunst said. “He was a favorite of a bunch of our scouts. We have a certain process we go through in the final three weeks before the draft. Guys get together and they work our board from the bottom up. This was a guy that just was the outlier for them. They were so excited to try and move this guy up the board, which we did. So, as it unfolded, I got a lot of taps on my shoulder during those period of times about him being on the board and available. So, we were thrilled to be able to select him.”
Packers Add 16 Rookies, Including Nine Draft Picks
First round: Georgia CB Eric Stokes
More Stokes: Blown away by more than 40 time
More Stokes: Mixed message from scouts
Second round: Ohio State C Josh Myers
More Myers: Stands tall in strong center class
Third round: Clemson WR Amari Rodgers
More Rodgers: Gutekunst loses trade but wins player he coveted
More Rodgers: Short trend snapped
Fourth round: Ole Miss OL Royce Newman
Fifth round: Florida DT Tedarrell Slaton
Fifth round: Appalachian State CB Shemar Jean-Charles
More Jean-Charles: In-Depth Stats
Sixth round: Wisconsin OL Cole Van Lanen
More Van Lanen: In-Depth Stats
Sixth round: Boston College LB Isaiah McDuffie
Seventh round: Mississippi State RB Kylin Hill
Undrafted: The biggest position steal in the league?
Undrafted: Scouting opinions on all seven signings
Undrafted: Wisconsin OL Jon Dietzen
Undrafted: San Jose State WR Bailey Gaither
Undrafted: San Diego State OL Jacob Capra
Undrafted: Michigan OLB Carlo Kemp