Green Bay Packers: Darrell Stewart Jr. a UDFA gem in 2020
The Green Bay Packers could have a gem in UDFA WR Darrell Stewart Jr.
The Green Bay Packers certainly ruffled some feathers when they used their top pick in the 2020 NFL Draft on Utah State quarterback Jordan Love.
Not that there is anything about Love specifically that makes his selection a bad one, but the Packers passed on an opportunity to build their core of offensive players with one of the deepest wide receiver groups in recent NFL Draft history to take him.
As a matter of fact, the Packers passed on the 2020 NFL Draft class completely at the wide receiver position.
Until after the 2020 draft was over when they signed Michigan State wide receiver Darrell Stewart Jr., a player who can do a little bit of everything for you.
Stewart’s versatility and playmaking ability
At 6-foot-2, 216 pounds, Stewart has really good size for the receiver position and can be moved around the formation as an ‘X’ or a slot. He averaged over 10 yards per reception for his career at Michigan State, but had a really solid senior campaign before a November injury where he averaged over 14 yards per catch.
Stewart doesn’t consistently create great separation, but he makes up for it with an ability to make really tough contested catches, especially deep downfield.
He’s got some burst and explosiveness to him, and Michigan State tried to emphasize that by throwing him out there for kickoff returns and handing him the ball on end-around plays as a runner as well.
Stewart’s strong lower half allows him to fight through contact and he has better agility than his thicker frame would suggest. His field vision is solid and he does a good job finding openings to create yardage after the catch.
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Although the Packers didn’t draft a big-name receiver in the 2020 NFL Draft class or even sign a big-name UDFA receiver, Darrell Stewart Jr. appears to be a really solid developmental candidate whose abilities could initially land him on the practice squad, but if he proves himself on special teams, he could earn a regular season roster spot in Green Bay or somewhere else in 2020.