In 2020, the Green Bay Packers made it all the way to the NFC Championship Game for the second year in a row. Aaron Rodgers, fueled by the organization’s decision to draft Jordan Love, had arguably the best season of his storied NFL career, completing 70.7% of his passes for 4,299 yards, 48 touchdowns, just five interceptions, and an incredible 121.5 passer rating.
Heading into the 2021 NFL Draft, it was believed that the Packers were truly not that far away from winning a Super Bowl. Many assumed, and still do, that had David Bakhtiari not torn his ACL on New Years Eve, Green Bay would have won it all.
As it stood, though, their roster was obviously not good enough to advance to the Super Bowl, and the hope was that a number of the players selected in that year’s draft would help push them over the top.
Only Isaiah McDuffie Remains from the Green Bay Packers 2021 NFL Draft Class
Green Bay Packers, Jaire Alexander Isaiah McDuffie
Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander (23) celebrates with linebacker Isaiah McDuffie (58) after McDuffie breaks up a pass against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, September 15, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won the game, 16-10.
Tork Mason
Unfortunately, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst did not have his best showing in the 2021 NFL Draft. Of the nine players Green Bay selected, only Isaiah McDuffie, a sixth round pick, is still on the team after signing a two-year contract earlier this offseason. The rest are gone, and one of them is not even in the league anymore.
First Round Pick: Eric Stokes
Second Round Pick: Josh Myers
Third Round Pick: Amari Rodgers
Fourth Round Pick: Royce Newman
Fifth Round Pick: TJ Slaton
Fifth Round Pick: Shemar Jean-Charles
Sixth Round Pick: Cole Van Lanen
Sixth Round Pick: Isaiah McDuffie
Seven Round Pick: Kylin Hill
Stokes signed with the Las Vegas Raiders earlier this offseason after the Packers declined to bring him back. They did not even pick up his fifth-year option following his injuries in 2022 and 2023.
Myers was allowed to leave in free agency this year as well, and has since signed with the New York Jets.
Rodgers has not appeared in an NFL game since 2023, and was cut by the Packers halfway through his second season with the team.
Newman was cut after three years, though he did play in each one of the team’s 54 games during that span. The problem was that he did not play well.
Slaton signed with the Cincinnati Bengals this offseason, and Van Lanen (a former Wisconsin Badgers star) has signed on to play his fourth season with the Jacksonville Jaguars (Green Bay cut him after 2021).
Hill is no longer in league.
Former Green Bay Packers Offensive Lineman Royce Newman Has Signed with the Arizona Cardinals
Green Bay Packers, Royce Newman
Oct 28, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Green Bay Packers tackle Royce Newman (70) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas
According to multiple reports, Newman has signed on to play for the Arizona Cardinals in 2025. He spent the 2024 season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but only appeared in one game. Indeed, his playing time has decreased in each of his four NFL seasons.
In 2021, he played 1,084 offensive snaps while starting at right guard. In 2022, he played just 451. 2023 saw him play just 182 snaps.
Last year, in the only game in which Tampa Bay activated him, he played just three offensive snaps.
Needless to say, he is far from having a roster spot guaranteed for him in Arizona.
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