The Green Bay Packers have added rookie wide receiver Cornelius Johnson to their practice squad, filling a spot that opened up after running back Chris Brooks was promoted to the 53-man roster. Johnson, originally drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft, brings both size and athleticism to the Packers. Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 212 pounds, Johnson was selected 253rd overall in this year’s draft.
Johnson had a productive college career at Michigan, where he became a key player for the Wolverines. Over the course of 61 games, he caught 138 passes for 2,038 yards and scored 14 touchdowns. As a three-year starter,
Johnson was instrumental in Michigan’s success, including their three consecutive appearances in the College Football Playoff and their national championship win in 2023. In his senior season, Johnson recorded 47 receptions for 604 yards and one touchdown, becoming one of quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s primary targets on the championship team.
Athletically, Johnson stood out during the pre-draft process. His impressive Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 9.46 highlighted his explosive physical abilities. He posted a 37.5-inch vertical leap, a broad jump of 10 feet 7 inches, a 10-yard split of 1.52 seconds, a 40-yard dash time of 4.44 seconds, and completed the three-cone drill in 6.93 seconds. These testing numbers placed Johnson among the elite athletes at the wide receiver position in the 2024 draft class.
It was no surprise that the Chargers, under the leadership of former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, took a chance on Johnson in the seventh round. Although Johnson did not make the final roster after training camp, he spent time on the Chargers’ practice squad before being released. During the preseason, Johnson caught three of his nine targets for 34 yards, but was charged with one drop, according to Pro Football Focus.
In addition to his size and athleticism, Johnson brings valuable experience in run blocking. At Michigan, he was tasked with blocking on over 1,000 snaps throughout his college career. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein noted Johnson’s potential as a “chippy run-blocker” and a weapon in perimeter blocking. This ability aligns well with the Packers’ offensive scheme, which emphasizes receivers’ contributions in the running game.
In conclusion, the Packers’ decision to sign Cornelius Johnson to the practice squad adds a promising young talent to their receiver group. With his combination of size, athleticism, and experience as both a pass-catcher and blocker, Johnson has the potential to develop into a valuable asset for the Packers as the season progresses.
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