The NFL's cutdown day has seen a flurry of activity as teams finalize their rosters ahead of the 2026 season. Among the notable developments, several players who were pre-draft visitors for the Green Bay Packers have been released, making them available for potential acquisition. This trend underscores the Packers' strategy of targeting prospects during the draft process, as they look to bolster their roster with players who have already been evaluated by their coaching staff.
In the past, the Packers have successfully added players from their pre-draft visits, such as offensive lineman Darian Kinnard and tight end Josh Whyle, who secured a spot on the initial 53-man roster this year. As teams continue to announce their final cuts, the following players who had pre-draft visits with the Packers have recently become available:
At the quarterback position, both Hendon Hooker from the Tennessee Titans and Sean Clifford from the Cincinnati Bengals have been released. Clifford, in particular, could be of interest to the Packers as they seek a third-string quarterback.
In the running back department, several names have emerged, including Velus Jones Jr. from the Seattle Seahawks, Evan Hull from the Arizona Cardinals, Lew Nichols from the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Damon Bankston from the New York Giants. Bankston, a rookie, is particularly intriguing as he was signed to the Giants with a significantly higher guarantee than the Packers' undrafted free agent signing Jaden Nixon. If the Packers are indeed shifting towards a more outside zone-based offensive scheme, Bankston could fit the bill, although he might initially land on the practice squad rather than the active roster.
The wide receiver position has also seen some movement, with Anthony Smith from the Dallas Cowboys and Samori Toure from the Philadelphia Eagles being released. Smith, a seventh-round pick, possesses impressive speed, clocking a 4.45-second 40-yard dash, and could be a valuable addition to the Packers' receiving corps.
On the offensive line, Kiran Amegadjie from the Chicago Bears and Esa Pole from the Kansas City Chiefs are now available. Amegadjie, a former third-round pick, struggled to find his footing with the Bears, while Pole, a second-year player, has experience working with first-team units. Both could provide depth to the Packers' offensive line.
Defensively, the Packers might consider adding Trevin Wallace, a linebacker released by the Carolina Panthers. Wallace started 12 games last season and has shown promise in his two years in the league. Additionally, cornerback D’Arco Perkins-McAllister, who had a tumultuous college career before landing with the Kansas City Chiefs, is also available. Given the Packers' struggles in the secondary during the preseason, he could be a candidate for a roster spot.
Finally, at safety, Chris Edmonds from the Cleveland Browns and Jammie Robinson from the Atlanta Falcons have been waived. While Edmonds has primarily contributed on special teams, Robinson, a former fifth-round pick, is looking for a fresh start after being released multiple times in his career.
As the Packers evaluate these newly available players, the team's roster decisions will be critical as they aim to build a competitive squad for the upcoming season. With more cuts expected in the coming days, the Packers may have additional opportunities to strengthen their roster before the regular season begins.
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