Could Packers' speedy UDFA tight end threaten for 53-man roster spot?

Year after year, the Green Bay Packers sign an undrafted free agent who eventually makes an impact, however minimal, on Sundays.

It goes back to the Tramon Williams and Sam Shields of the world, that if you are an undrafted free agent, you should want to go to Green Bay. Since 2005, the Packers have had at least one undrafted free agent make the initial 53-man roster every year, except for the 2024 season.

This year, the Packers once again signed a strong crop of undrafted free agents, and it's a safe bet that at least one of them will make the initial 53-man roster.

Today, let's state the case for RJ Maryland making the initial 53-man roster for the Packers.

The son of Russell Maryland, the former No. 1 overall pick by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1991 NFL Draft, RJ was a four-star recruit out of Texas and played his college ball at SMU. During his first season on campus, Maryland hauled in 28 receptions for 296 yards and six touchdowns. In 2023, Maryland recorded 34 receptions for 518 yards and seven touchdowns. Maryland was on track to put together a stellar season in 2024, recording 24 receptions for 359 yards and four touchdowns in seven games before tearing his ACL. During his final season with the Mustangs, Maryland recorded 27 receptions for 322 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He finished as the program's all-time leader in receiving yards by a tight end.

A former track athlete, Maryland clocked a 4.51 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, which was the second fastest time among tight ends. Only Kenyon Sadiq, who got drafted in the first round, ran a faster time. His track-like speed was all over his 2024 tape before he suffered a torn ACL. He could bring an explosive element to a team's passing attack as a No. 3 option at tight end. With his size (6-4) and speed, he has the elements to be a seam buster and attack teams vertically.