The Green Bay Packers began shaving down their roster towards the 80-player limit on Friday, and one of the roster casualties was a 2018 draft pick.
The team announced the release of offensive lineman Cole Madison and fullback Jordan Jones.
Jones was an undrafted free agent from Prairie View A&M and a likely long shot to make the 53-man roster. Madison, however, was a fifth-round pick in 2018 who actually made the roster to start last season.
The Washington State product sat out his rookie season due to personal issues and then tore his ACL during a practice last season. Now, he’s off the Packers roster before real football even begins.
GM Brian Gutekunst used three draft picks on interior linemen during April’s draft: Jon Runyan, Jake Hanson and Simon Stepaniak, who all likely lessened the chances of Madison making the roster.
The Packers need to be down to 80 players by Aug. 16. The team already lost receiver Devin Funchess, who opted out of the season. They also claimed H-back John Lovett, but he hasn’t passed a physical yet and isn’t on the official roster.
