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“training camp” (CC BY-NC 2.0) by almostsummersky
From draft and develop to their loyal fan base, the Green Bay Packers have a reputation for more than just winning. Not the least of these things is their desire and ability to turn undrafted players into starters. As a result, Packers fans have more than just 7 or 8 drafted players to be excited about. For that reason, we’ll take several days to outline each of the Packers current UFA players. What are the pros, cons, and chances of making the team?
To see other UDFA write-ups, click here.
Overview
Of the three undrafted corners I’ve talked about to this point, Lenzy Pipkins is by far my favorite to make the team. He also happens to be my favorite of the three but my preference isn’t really relevant.
As far as his credentials go, Pipkins played 34 games over 3 years at Louisiana-Monroe and an additional year as a senior at Oklahoma State. Over his 4 years, Pipkins amassed 9 PBU’s, 3 interceptions, and 142 total tackles.
Physically Pipkins measured in at 6’0 196-pounds, and ran a 4.46, making Lenzy a mirror image of Damarious Randall.
In terms of play style, Pipkins reminds me of second round draft pick, Josh Jones. He is a tackling machine that seems to love and embrace contact. Considering the pure violence of the Packers draft picks, I tend to think Green Bay is looking for players with an edge. Pipkins certainly has that.
Pros/Cons
According to a PackersNews.com source, Pipkins was described in some less than flattering terms,
“Average athlete, average toughness. Good competitor. Not very good in the run game. Marginal tackler. Plays with average awareness. Lacks speed to recover. Free agent.”
I’m not going to pretend to have scouted Lenzy Pipkins to the extend that this “AFC scout” did, but I don’t see it.
Watching Pipkins I see a versitle guy that can line up inside, outside, and safety. A guy with the right dimensions and temperament. I also see a guy that could easily make the roster as a special teams player, taking off heads, while he gets developed into a corner that the Packers can trust.
Chances of making the team
The numbers are against him but I like his chances. The Packers love guys that can play multiple positions and I think Pipkins has the ability to be that guy. The fact that he can cut it on special teams will also help his case.
It’s hard to give such a long shot a better than 50% chance of making the roster but if I were a betting man, I’d let it all ride on Lenzy.