The Green Bay Packers are using the roster spot vacated by defensive lineman Mike Daniels to sign former Jacksonville Jaguars running back Corey Grant, an explosive runner, receiver and returner who has experience playing in offenses run by new Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.
Universal Sports Management delivered news of the signing on Twitter Friday morning.
Adding Grant brings the Packers roster to 90 players ahead of Friday’s training camp practice.
An undrafted free agent out of Auburn in 2015, Grant latched on with the Jaguars as a rookie and played four seasons in Jacksonville under Hackett, including the final two with Hackett as offensive coordinator. Grant rushed 81 times for 454 yards and three touchdowns, with 18 catches for 156 yards and a fourth score.
The Jaguars placed a second-round tender on Grant before the 2018 season, but he suffered a Lisfranc injury in Week 5 and missed the remainder of the regular season.
As a top backup for Hackett in 2017, Grant averaged 8.3 per carry over 30 attempts and produced two rushes over 50 yards, proving explosive big-play potential. Overall, Grant has three career runs over 50 yards despite only 81 carries.
Grant is also an experienced kick returner, which could benefit the Packers if he makes the 53-man roster. He was a primary kick returner at Auburn and has returned 41 kicks for 967 yards in the NFL, with a long of 68 yards.
He’s also an elite-level athlete. Before the 2015 draft, Grant (5-11, 205) ran the 40-yard dash in 4.28 seconds, hit 37 inches in the vertical and 10-7 in the broad jump and benched pressed 225 pounds 22 times. He is considered to have “blazing straight-line speed.”
Here’s a little taste of Grant’s speed:
Don’t discount the possibility of Grant making the 53-man roster, especially if he’s back to full health. He can run, catch and return kicks, with the speed to create big plays in all three areas, and he has experience working under Hackett. The Packers are comfortable with Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams, and Dexter Williams is a strong candidate to be the No. 3 back, but Grant could give the Packers running back room something it doesn’t currently have.
