Packers Have Rookie Gems Flying Under the Radar

"That's what drew me to him, as far as being that traditional mold of a Packers wide receiver," Nagler said of Williams, who is listed at a towering 6-5 and 225 pounds. "And I think they see that, as well. I know he's done a lot of work in maybe an untraditional sense, a lot of end-arounds, bubble screens, stuff out of the backfield, things like that. I know the Cordarrelle Patterson comparison has been thrown around a lot, and I think there's something to it. But I think they see a guy who can become a very good, classic perimeter wide receiver in Green Bay."

Williams is a former high school quarterback with rare speed and athleticism for his size, and the Horned Frogs put those physical traits to good use in many different ways, finding creative opportunities to get the ball in his hands.

Though he still needs a ton of refinement as a receiver, Nagler expects the Packers to find similar avenues to get Williams involved early while he develops the rest of his skill set from a technical standpoint.

"It's gonna take a lot of work," Nagler said. "He's very raw. But what I saw, and what I suspect they see, is a classic guy in the Packers offense who is going to be able to work over the middle, and is just a demon with the ball in his hands when it comes to yards after contact, yards after the catch. He is primed to be that kind of contributor. But there's a lot of work to be done. They know that, they've talked about it. It's going to be interesting to see how they bring him along, and if they have a package or two for him in his rookie year. But I think the potential is there for him to be a very, very good receiver in Green Bay."

On the other side of the ball, Nagler has high hopes for a fifth-round pass rusher out of Oklahoma State.

"I'm very intrigued by Collin Oliver," Nagler said. "Unfortunately, he's started on PUP (Physically Unable to Perform list). I think he's got about another week...Brian said at the beginning of camp that it would be about two weeks or so before we see him on the field. But I love his tape, and I understand where he could fit in this defense, as far as his ability off the edge."

Somewhat undersized at 6-2, 240 pounds, Oliver brings explosiveness off the edge that should make him valuable in passing situations, but he'll have to become a more complete player if he wants to be a full-time starter.

"Again, breaking from tradition, he's unlike what they've liked at that defensive end spot," Nagler said. "And we talked to Brian about this at the Combine. He was very much, 'Look, everybody loves the idea of the undersized D-end who comes onto the field on third down and is able to pin his ears back and go screaming.' But he said then, 'The problem is, you suffer an injury or two, now he's gotta play full-time. How is he taking on those big guys at tackle, the tight ends coming in to block him in the run game on early downs?' So, that's what made his selection kind of a surprise. It's very against type in Green Bay."

Even if Oliver never develops into an every-down defender in Green Bay, Nagler likes his chances of being a high-impact player in a rotational role that allows him to play to his strengths as a speed rusher in critical situations.

"If they're able to get him on the field and allow him to just pin his ears back and be that pesky speed rusher, I think he could be cooking with gas in (Jeff) Hafley's defense," Nagler said. "I'm very excited to see that at work."

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