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Green Bay Packers have a big-time undrafted steal on their hands

By Sayre Bedinger

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 04: Tyler Goodson #15 of the Iowa Hawkeyes runs with the ball in the first quarter against the Michigan Wolverines during the Big Ten Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 04, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 04: Tyler Goodson #15 of the Iowa Hawkeyes runs with the ball in the first quarter against the Michigan Wolverines during the Big Ten Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 04, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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The Green Bay Packers have an undrafted free agent gem on their hands in former Iowa Hawkeyes running back Tyler Goodson.

Sometimes, the NFL just lets players slip through the cracks in the NFL Draft. Teams like the Green Bay Packers can then capitalize and put these prospects in good situations without even spending any draft capital.

Every year, when the Draft is over, there’s an entire list of players you just can’t help but wonder — what did we as analysts or fans miss about certain players that the NFL seemed otherwise pretty unified about?

The NFL doesn’t always get it right, either. There are plenty of players that slip through the cracks for no good reason who end up vastly outplaying their draft status, or lack thereof.

One player that I think is definitely going to do that in 2022 is former Iowa Hawkeyes running back Tyler Goodson, who landed in a fascinating situation with the Green Bay Packers.

Green Bay Packers have a UDFA gem in Iowa RB Tyler Goodson

How did Tyler Goodson go undrafted?

Running backs are a dime a dozen, right?

Goodson lacks ideal size, but he more than makes up for it with elite metrics in every athletic category.

Speed, explosiveness, quickness — it’s all there.

His 10-yard split is particularly rare for running backs, which is a great trait for him to have in an offensive scheme where he’s going to have to make one cut and get upfield.

The Iowa Hawkeyes run plenty of the wide zone type of offensive concepts you see in the NFL today which is why so many of the players coming from this school are coveted by NFL teams.

Of course, the most coveted Hawkeyes are typically offensive linemen and tight ends, but a player like Goodson can help get this team on the map in the offensive skill player department.

He was the first true freshman in Iowa football history to lead the team in rushing yards. He was a two-time All-Big Ten selection for the Hawkeyes and proved his worth as a three-down back, rushing for 2,551 career yards while also catching 70 passes.

With Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon ahead of him on the depth chart, the best Goodson is going to be able to do in year one with the Green Bay Packers is a RB3 role, barring injury.

Even then, Goodson will be auditioning for 31 other NFL teams throughout the preseason as well to show teams that he belongs in the NFL and belongs in an NFL rotation.

There are teams out there with far worse running back situations than the Packers.

I think Tyler Goodson has a real shot to get himself on the map as one of the top undrafted free agents from the 2022 Draft class.

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