Tag: Rico Gafford

Browns had 4 in for tryouts including new practice squad signee Cyril Grayson

The Browns had four players in for tryouts today, including their newest practice squad member Cyril Grayson

The Cleveland Browns held tryouts once again this week. This is not the first time this season that a player has been signed to the practice squad from a tryout, and it may not be the last time. Former Miami Redhawks’ safety Mike Brown won a spot on the practice squad in a tryout, and now wide receiver Cyril Grayson has done the same.

The Browns, however, did have three other players in for tryouts as well, so the churning of their practice squad could continue. Here we take a look at all four names and provide a bit of background information on all of them.

Lions hold tryouts for two players, sign S Brady Breeze to the practice squad

Breeze played in four games for Detroit in 2021

Brady Breeze is back in Detroit. The veteran safety signed with the Lions practice squad on Tuesday.

Breeze played for the Lions in 2021, appearing in four games after being scooped up from Tennessee. The 25-year-old played extensively on special teams but only saw 14 snaps on defense. He was with the Lions during the summer but was waived with injury status in training camp and took an injury settlement. Breeze has been bouncing around on the tryout circuit before signing with the Lions, and that includes an audition with Detroit last week.

The Lions kept the tryout door open on Tuesday as well. Per the NFL’s transaction report, Detroit held a tryout for WR Rico Gafford and CB Troy Pride. Neither was signed immediately.

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Packers release CB Rico Gafford from practice squad

The Packers signed S Micah Abernathy to the practice squad and released CB Rico Gafford from the practice squad.

The Green Bay Packers kept open a practice squad spot by releasing cornerback Rico Gafford on Friday. The team also announced the signing of safety Micah Abernathy to the practice squad, which was reported Thursday by Bill Huber of SI.com.

Gafford (5-10, 184) signed a futures contract with the Packers in January of this year. He converted from wide receiver back to cornerback in hopes of increasing his chances of sticking in Green Bay but was unable to win a spot on the 53-man roster.

The Packers signed him back to the practice squad on Wednesday, but his stay lasted only two days.

By releasing Gafford, the Packers are keeping open the opportunity to bring back kicker Ramiz Ahmed on the 16-player practice squad. He was reported to be back as insurance behind kicker Mason Crosby, who is still recovering from offseason knee surgery.

Also, the Packers changed Abernathy’s number from No. 46 to No. 34.

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Packers release CB Rico Gafford during final roster cuts

It sure looks like the Packers will keep only five cornerbacks on the initial 53-man roster.

The Green Bay Packers will almost certainly carry five cornerbacks on the team’s initial 53-man roster.

According to Bill Huber of SI.com, the Packers are releasing cornerback Rico Gafford during final roster cutdowns on Tuesday.

Gafford played 96 snaps on defense and 25 on special teams over three preseason games. He gave up six catches for 153 yards and two touchdowns in coverage.

Gafford joins Kiondre Thomas and Kabion Ento among the Packers’ cuts. That leaves Jaire Alexander, Rasul Douglas, Eric Stokes, Keisean Nixon and Shemar Jean-Charles as the five leftover cornerbacks and the expected five on the first 53.

Gafford, a converted wide receiver, brought terrific speed and special teams potential to the table, but he had too many coverage lapses during the preseason and then dealt with a pair of injuries, complicating his quest to make the roster. He played perimeter cornerback, gunner on punt and kick coverage teams and kick returner during the preseason.

Gafford will go on waivers. If unclaimed, he could return to Green Bay on the practice squad.

If the Packers aren’t comfortable with having only five cornerbacks on the roster, an addition could be made this week after cuts and the claims process.

WR Danny Davis, CB Rico Gafford miss Packers’ final joint practice with new injuries

Packers WR Danny Davis and CB Rico Gafford both missed Wednesday’s joint practice with the Saints due to new ankle injuries.

Injuries prevented rookie receiver Danny Davis and converted cornerback Rico Gafford from participating during the Green Bay Packers’ final joint practice with the New Orleans Saints on Wednesday.

Davis and Gafford are both dealing with new ankle injuries. It’s possible the pair could miss Friday’s preseason game against the Saints, providing another big hurdle to eventually making the 53-man roster.

They were the only new additions to the injury list on Wednesday.

Davis, an undrafted rookie from Wisconsin, was carrying a lot of momentum into the start of the week after catching a touchdown pass from Jordan Love in the preseason opener against the San Francisco 49ers. His most likely path to sticking in Green Bay is probably on the practice squad, but he’s been impressive this summer.

Davis’ injury – and the dwindling numbers at wide receiver – is likely why the Packers felt compelled to claim Travis Fulgham off waivers from the Broncos on Wednesday. Fulgham has experience in the offense and should be able to step in and play snaps for Matt LaFleur’s second or third teams right away.

If veterans Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb and Sammy Watkins don’t play on Friday, and Christian Watson (who just came off the PUP list) is held out, the Packers would be down to Amari Rodgers, Juwann Winfree, Romeo Doubs, Samori Toure and Ishmael Hyman, plus Fulgham, against the Saints.

Gafford, who moved from receiver to cornerback this offseason, is attempting to make the 53-man roster as a backup and core special teamer. This injury could severely hurt his chances, especially if he misses Friday’s preseason game. Gafford gave up a touchdown pass but was excellent on special teams against the 49ers last week.

It’s possible Gafford’s injury could open the door for a player like Kiondre Thomas or Kabion Ento to make a run at a roster spot as the sixth corner behind the expected top five of Jaire Alexander, Rasual Douglas, Eric Stokes, Keisean Nixon and Shemar Jean-Charles.

The biggest injury news of Wednesday? Rashan Gary, who briefly exited Tuesday’s practice, returned in a full capacity.

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Returner job may provide path to Packers’ 53-man roster

The Packers need a kick and punt returner in 2022. Who will win the job? A roster spot could be up for grabs for a player like Amari Rodgers or Rico Gafford.

Someone has to return punts and kicks for the Green Bay Packers during the 2022 season, creating a job worth a spot on Brian Gutekunst’s 53-man roster.

Matt LaFleur confirmed Pro Bowl running back Aaron Jones is just an emergency option at kick returner, so scratch him from the legitimate options. Receivers Randall Cobb and rookie Romeo Doubs – both roster locks – have gotten opportunities to handle returns early in training camp, and having one of them do it during the regular season could save a roster spot elsewhere. But Cobb is a veteran with an injury history and should be protected, and Doubs – one of the early stars of camp – might be carving out a real role on offense.

But all the others, including receiver Amari Rodgers and cornerback Rico Gafford, have an opportunity to earn a roster spot by winning the return job this summer.

Rodgers, a third-round pick in 2021, returned 20 punts and 11 kickoffs as a rookie last season but wasn’t good at either. He lacked burst and urgency and wasn’t completely confident fielding the football. After losing weight this offseason, maybe he’ll take a big jump as a second-year player and give the Packers a quality returner on special teams and useful role player on offense; that’s probably the ideal scenario here.

If Rodgers doesn’t wind up being the team’s returner, his roster spot could be in real jeopardy.

Don’t sleep on Gafford, a converted receiver who is one of the fastest players on the roster. He returned kicks at the college level, so experience isn’t an issue. LaFleur said his speed could be a real asset on special teams, especially as a returner. And the Packers may need him to fill a depth role at cornerback, a thin position group behind the three rock-star starters. He’s made plays on defense during the first five days of camp and has been the first man up as a returner.

Former USFL receiver Ishmael Hyman is also getting opportunities at kick and punt returner, but he’s a roster long shot at this point. He returned seven punts for 78 yards as a member of the Michigan Panthers.

Speedy Rico Gafford gets opportunity at kick returner for Packers

Special teams could be Rico Gafford’s path to the Packers’ 53-man roster.

When the Green Bay Packers lined up for kickoff return during Friday’s practice, it wasn’t Amari Rodgers, Randall Cobb or Romeo Doubs leading the group of returners.

It was receiver-turned-cornerback Rico Gafford, according to Bill Huber of SI.com.

Maybe the speedy former Raider can give Rich Bisaccia’s special teams a jolt in the return game.

“He’s a guy that can definitely give us some speed on special teams,” coach Matt LaFleur said Saturday.

Gafford, who switched from cornerback to receiver while with the Raiders, moved back to cornerback at the request of LaFleur, who believed playing defense would give Gafford the best chance of making the 53-man roster.

Special teams will play a huge part in his quest to make the team. While he was up first for returning kicks on Friday, Gafford was also one of the gunners for the No. 1 kickoff coverage group, providing even more versatility and potential value as Bisaccia and LaFleur sort through the special teams options and try to find the best fits for the third group.

Gafford has only returned one kickoff in his NFL career, a 12-yard return while with the Raiders.

He did return kicks in college.

At Wyoming, Gafford returned seven kickoffs for 140 yards. Before transferring to Wyoming, Gafford returned 18 kickoffs for 460 yards at Iowa Western at the Junior College level.

He certainly has the speed to return kicks. Gafford ran the 40-yard dash in 4.22 seconds at Wyoming’s pro day in 2018 and is now one of the fastest players on the Packers roster.

Gafford came into training camp with a cool story. He’s quickly positioning himself to make a real run at a roster spot. The Packers lack depth at cornerback, and Gafford is getting legitimate opportunities to make an impact on special teams this summer.

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Packers’ Rico Gafford ‘more comfortable’ after switch back to cornerback

The Packers asked Rico Gafford to switch back to cornerback, where he’s more comfortable and has a better chance to make the roster.

Rico Gafford is feeling more comfortable after switching from receiver back to cornerback at the request of Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur following the 2022 NFL draft.

The Packers think Gafford has a better chance of making the team after changing positions. And Gafford is embracing the opportunity to move back to cornerback, the position where he thrived in college.

“Playing DB is what I love. That’s who I am,” Gafford told Bill Huber of SI.com. “Just being out there, being able to compete, I just have a different type of feeling when I’m out there. I would explain it as having more swag out there. That’s what I would say. I just love it because I can really be myself.”

From a personnel perspective with the Packers, the change made perfect sense.

The Packers signed Sammy Watkins and used three draft picks on receivers, blocking Gafford’s path to a realistic role on the offensive side of the ball. But at cornerback? The door is wide open behind Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes and Rasul Douglas, the three starters.

Gafford, who is one of the fastest players on the team, intercepted six passes as a full-time starter over his final seasons at Wyoming.

He’s now wearing No. 37.

Gafford stayed at cornerback after signing with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent in 2018, but he eventually latched on with the Raiders after being cut by Tennessee and then switched to receiver, a position he’d play for the next four seasons. Over eight regular-season games with the Raiders between 2018 and 2020, Gafford caught two passes for 66 yards and a touchdown.

Gafford told Huber that he had been contemplating moving back to cornerback before signing with the Packers. And LaFleur’s team signed Gafford as a receiver before deciding a position change would give him the best opportunity to make the 53-man roster.

With more comfort at cornerback and blazing speed, Gafford now has a chance to win a 53-man roster spot as a backup and core special teams player.

Later this month, Gafford, Keisean Nixon, Shemar Jean-Charles, Kabion Ento, Kiondre Thomas and Raleigh Texada will arrive at training camp in Green Bay to compete for what could be two or three open spots on the Packers’ roster to start 2022.

Packers speedster ditching wide receiver and heading back to defense

Rico Gafford, who signed with the Packers in January, is transitioning from wide receiver back to cornerback, his original position.

Green Bay Packers’ speedster Rico Gafford is making the switch back to defense after trying his hand at offense. Gafford had been listed on the team’s official website as a wide receiver but is now listed at cornerback. The Packers signed Gafford to a reserve/future contract for the 2022 season.   

Cornerback will be a pretty easy transition for Gafford, who played the position for two seasons at the University of Wyoming. Gafford appeared in 27 games, totaling 103 tackles, 17 pass breakups, and six interceptions.  

Standing at 5-9.5, Gafford is a tad undersized, but his speed helps make up for it. At Wyoming’s Pro Day, he ran a blazing 4.22, which is a hair faster than first-rounder Eric Stokes, who ran a 4.25 at Georgia’s 2021 pro day. John Ross ran a 4.22 in 2017, which is still the fastest 40 in NFL Scouting Combine history.   

“I love running. That’s one thing about me. I just love running. I’m a track guy,” Gafford said via Matt Schneidman.  

Gafford went undrafted in 2018 before getting picked up by the Tennessee Titans, where he worked with Matt LaFleur, who was the offensive coordinator. At the time, Gafford was still trying to make it as a corner. He actually appeared in a preseason game against the Packers as a cornerback. 

It wasn’t until arriving at the Las Vegas Raiders the following year that he made the change to offense.  

From 2018 to 2020, Gafford alternated between the Raiders’ practice squad and active roster, appearing in eight games. His first career reception was a 49-yard touchdown from Derek Carr against the Titans in Week 13 of the 2019 season.   

In 2021, Gafford had stints with the Arizona Cardinals, Buffalo Bills, and, most recently, the Denver Broncos. After spending most of the year on the practice squad, Gafford was promoted to the Broncos’ active roster in week 17 but was a healthy scratch.  

So far, it has been a roller coaster of a journey for Gafford as he is now going to try and switch back to corner after focusing on wide receiver. Fortunately, the switch should give him a better chance of making Green Bay’s roster.  

The Packers are loaded with young talent at wide receiver, whereas they are far thinner at corner. The No. 4 spot behind Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes, and Rasul Douglas is practically wide open. Gafford should also get the chance to put his speed to use on special teams as a return man or gunner.  

Spending three years in the Raiders organization should mean there’s a strong familiarity between Gafford and new Packers special teams coach Rich Bisaccia.

Appropriately, Gafford will wear number 37, or the same number worn by Pro Bowler Sam Shields, who successfully made the switch from receiver to corner out of the University of Miami.   

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Packers sign two more players to futures deals

The Packers signed WR Rico Gafford and CB Kiondre Thomas to reserve/futures deals on Wednesday.

The Green Bay Packers signed two more players to futures deals after signing 10 from their own practice squad on Tuesday.

The team announced the signing of receiver Rico Gafford and cornerback Kiondre Thomas.

Gafford (5-10,184) is an undrafted free agent from Wyoming (2018) who has spent time with the Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas Raiders, Arizona Cardinals, Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos. In eight career NFL games, he has two catches for 66 yards, including a 49-yard touchdown. He also returned one kickoff for 12 yards.

Thomas (6-0, 185) is an undrafted free agent out of Kansas State (2021) who has spent time with the Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Chargers. He was elevated for four games with the Chargers in 2021 and played 28 snaps on special teams, tallying one tackle.

Both were practice squad players for their respective teams in 2021. The Packers reported tryouts for both players on Tuesday.

Reserve-future deals become active at the start of the new league year. Both Gafford and Thomas will be on the team’s 90-man roster to start the 2022 league year.

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