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Instant analysis of Packers signing TE Joel Wilson to practice squad

Tight end Joel Wilson was one of six players that the Green Bay Packers had in for a workout on Monday. According to Aaron Wilson, he has now been signed to the Packers practice squad. Here is what you need to know.

Wilson went undrafted this past spring out of Central Michigan. He initially spent time with the New Orleans Saints but then caught on with the Buffalo Bills during OTAs and was a part of their practice squad up until recently (released earlier this month). He measures in at 6-4, weighs 242 pounds and posted a Relative Athletic Score of 4.32 out of 10 during the pre-draft process. Wilson did not run an official 40-yard dash but did put up impressive times in the shuttle and 3-cone drills.

During the 2021 and 2022 seasons, where the bulk of Wilson’s opportunities came, he was an instrumental part of the Central Michigan passing game, catching 75 of his 105 targets at 11 yards per catch with 12 touchdowns. In 2022 specifically, 45 percent of Wilson’s snaps came from the slot and he ranked 42nd out of 145 eligible tight ends in yards per route run—an efficiency metric.

Over that same two-year stretch, Wilson had almost an exact 50-50 split between snaps as a route runner and snaps as a run-blocker. While PFF’s grading system isn’t the be-all-end-all by any means, Wilson was a below-average run-blocker by their metrics. He played just 53 total special teams snaps over his career as well.

For more on Wilson’s game, Lance Zierlein of NFL.com had this to say in his pre-draft scouting report:

“Wilson doesn’t have the play strength or technique of a Y tight end and might not have the speed to threaten the seam as a pass-catching option, but it is still easy to like his game. He’s clever as a route-runner and shows an ability to create separation with decent success underneath, but he must become even more competitive on contested catches. Wilson’s run blocking needs work, but he’s willing and will have potential in that area if he can get much stronger.”

As mentioned on Monday when highlighting the players that the Packers had in for workouts, an addition at the tight end position should have been expected. After signing Bo Melton and James Robinson from the practice squad to the 53-man roster prior to Thursday’s game in Detroit – Green Bay then released both players on Monday – the Packers had two practice squad openings.

Tight end is also a position where the Packers are hurting for depth at the moment as well. Josiah Deguara still did not practice on Monday with a hip injury after missing the previous game, while Luke Musgrave is on IR for a minimum of three more games, and Matt LaFleur is still not sure if he will return this season.

“We don’t know that,” said LaFleur on Monday when asked if Musgrave could return at some point. “Certainly we are hopeful for that, but we do know for sure that he will be out the next three weeks and then we will see where we are at after that. I know if it’s up to Luke he will be back, it’s just whether or not he is full healed. This guy, he is as tough as they come.”

Tucker Kraft, who stepped into the TE1 role in Musgrave’s absence, and Ben Sims are the only healthy tight ends on the active roster at the moment. Fullback Henry Pearson is on the practice and has two elevations left after playing on Thanksgiving, where he played two offensive snaps and 10 on special teams.

Even with the addition of Wilson, the Packers still have one practice squad opening remaining, along with two on the 53-man roster after releasing Melton and Robinson. From the sounds of it, one of those active roster spots could go to Darnell Savage, who is trending in the right direction, once he’s activated off IR.