Green Bay Packers UDFA Profile: DL James Ester promis to packers………
After the 2024 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers signed eight undrafted rookies. Let’s get to know everyone of these signees since we have a great history with the Packers of UDFAs not only making the team but eventually becoming impact players.
James Ester, a defensive lineman from Northern Illinois, will go next. In case you were unable to view the earlier profiles, they are shown below:
Jarveon Howard, RB, and Donovan Jennings, OL
Height: 6-2
Mass: 289
RAS: 4.12
:EB reakdownster, a team captain at Northern Illinois, played most of his snaps at 3-tech and is a tad on the lighter side at 289, but he also has some experience as an edge rusher and in the A-gap. Throughout his five-year career, Ester played 2,059 snaps and got better every year. In 2022, he had 22 pressures, up from 17 in 2021, and in 2023, he recorded a career-high 24 pressures and four sacks. Based on PFF’s stats, he has performed admirably against the run over the previous two seasons, finishing 23rd in run-stop percentage this past season. Given that the defensive front for theEster’s ceiling as a rookie is probably going to be making the practice squad for the Packers, but teams are constantly seeking for assistance stopping the run, so if that part of his game works well in the NFL, he might be able to make a lasting impression as a developmental player in 2024.
Draft description from NFL Draft Buzz: “Good initial quickness, good use of hands, and good club swim utilization to knife through gaps make him a solid pass rusher and decent run stopper. He is a marginally sized DT.” To overcome stretch runs, one must improve their marginal angles of pursuit and their awareness of and resistance to flow.
According to James Ester of NFL Draft
, “I think I can really play wherever,” in all honesty. If you go back and watch the Nebraska tape, you’ll see that I was able to make some fairly significant plays that game while playing a lot of defensive end against them. I’ll be honest: I absolutely love playing the 3-technique more than anything else. However, I believe that this year has truly demonstrated my adaptability. I used to play a lot of 2i and 3-tech, but these days I can actually play everything. Additionally, I’ve demonstrated at the next level that I’m intelligent enough to play all those positions and employ the strategies that you’re expected to. To be honest, I fit in anywhere.
