Wisconsin long snapper Peter Bowden (47) and punter Gavin Meyers (28) are shown before their game against Illinois State Saturday, September 3, 2022 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis.MARK HOFFMAN/MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL

The Green Bay Packers, in addition to selecting 11 new players in the 2024 NFL Draft, also signed a few undrafted free agents. While that is true for every team, the Packers especially have a knack for finding solid players among undrafted free agents. In fact, at least one undrafted player has made Green Bay’s 53-man roster for 19 consecutive seasons.

Last season, wide receiver Malik Heath and edge rusher Brenton Cox were two examples of undrafted players that still made the roster. In Packers’ history, there have been several notable undrafted free agents who have gone on to great careers. These included Hall of Famer Willie Wood and Super Bowl XLV Champion Tramon Williams.

The Green Bay Packers Signed Eight Undrafted Free Agents to the 90-Man Roster After the 2024 NFL Draft

According to the Packers’ website, they came to agreements with eight players who went unpicked in the 2024 NFL Draft:

• Peter Bowden- long snapper: Wisconsin
• James Ester- defensive lineman: Northern Illinois
• Ralen Gofort- linebacker: Washington
• Jarveon Howard- running back: Alcorn State
• Donovan Jennings- offensive lineman: Southern Florida
• Trente Jones- offensive lineman: Michigan
• Rodney Mathews- defensive lineman: Ohio
• Messiah Swinson- tight end: Arizona State

Jennings and Jones were the fourth and fifth rookie offensive lineman that Gutekunst added to the roster this offseason. In the draft, he took Jordan Morgan in the first round, Jacob Monk in the fifth round, and Travis Glover in the sixth round.

The focus on offensive linemen comes at a time that has seen Green Bay lose some significant depth to free agency and/or as a salary cap casualty. Yosh Nijman signed with the Carolina Panthers and Jon Runyan Jr. signed with the New York Giants.

David Bakhtiari was released.

One would think that with such a high turnover of offensive linemen that one of the undrafted ones would have the best chance to make the final 53-man roster than anyone else. However, one NFL writer thinks it is the Wisconsin Badgers alum, Peter Bowden, who has the best shot.

NFL Writer Thinks Undrafted Free Agent Peter Bowden Will Make the Green Bay Packers’ 53-Man Roster

A big percentage of Packers fans that are from or live in Wisconsin are also fans of the Badgers. For years, many of these fans have been calling on Green Bay to draft more players from Wisconsin or, more recently, hire Jim Leonhard as defensive coordinator.

Historically, the Packers have shied away from drafting prominent Badgers players. The last Wisconsin player they did draft was Cole Van Lanen in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Before him, it was Jared Abbrederis in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. Prior to him, the last Badger that Green Bay drafted was Bill Ferrario in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft.

While Gutekunst did not take any Wisconsin players in this year’s draft, he did sign long-snapper Peter Bowden. Ryan Fowler of Bleacher Report believes that he is the one who has the best shot at making the Packers’ 53-man roster.

He wrote:

“It’d be poetic if Wisconsin long-snapper Peter Bowden makes the Green Bay Packers’ roster.

“The Packers have had at least one UDFA make the 53-man roster in 19 straight seasons, according to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky. Bowden is expected to battle with veteran Matthew Orzech for the Packers’ starting gig this summer.

“This past season, the former Badger was a finalist for the Patrick Mannelly award, which goes to the country’s top long-snapper. Don’t be surprised if the former Badger wins the job over Orzech this offseason.”