Six of the 15 undrafted free agents signed by the Green Bay Packers received signing bonuses, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.
Offensive tackle Travis Bruffy, safety Frankie Griffin, guard Zack Johnson, outside linebacker Delontae Scott, receiver Darrell Stewart and running back Patrick Taylor all got $7,000 signing bonuses for picking for the Packers following the 2020 draft. The Packers also guaranteed a portion of the base salary for both Bruffy and Scott, two players they clearly coveted at premium positions.
Generally, teams use signing bonuses to help deliver free agents during the frenzied period following the draft.
Last year, the Packers gave $7,000 signing bonuses to seven of their 11 undrafted free agents. Clearly, the $7,000 amount has become the Packers’ go-to number under GM Brian Gutekunst.
A rundown of the six receiving $7,000 signing bonuses in 2020:
– Bruffy was a two-time captain and three-year starter at offensive tackle at Texas Tech. He could compete for a roster spot as a backup tackle.
– Griffin produced almost 300 tackles over 39 starts at Texas State. The Packers could use him as a hybrid linebacker/safety at the next level.
– Johnson played both right tackle and right guard at FCS powerhouse North Dakota State. He has size and physicality and could play either spot on the right side of the line in Green Bay.
– Scott produced 10 sacks and over 50 total pressures at SMU in 2019. He’ll have a chance to compete to be the team’s fourth or fifth edge rusher.
– Stewart, who caught the third-most passes in Michigan State history, was the only wide receiver added by the Packers in the draft or college free agency.
– Taylor was a touchdown machine for Memphis before suffering an injury during his senior season. He could be a practice squad option at running back.
