Could Jamon Dumas-Johnson Start Green Bay’s UDFA Streak Again?

From 2005 to 2024, at least one undrafted free agent made the Green Bay Packers’ initial 53-man roster every year. Some players carved out meaningful roles, while others had shorter tenures. Still, the streak lasted almost two decades, a testament to the organization’s strong scouting department and its consistent ability to identify and develop overlooked talent.

Nobody knows if the Packers will start a new streak in 2025. Still, if the Packers return to keeping an undrafted rookie on the final roster, one player should have a solid chance to carve out a role, even if it's just for depth or on special teams: Jamon Dumas-Johnson.

The Packers signed Dumas-Johnson shortly after the 2025 draft ended. As a true freshman at Georgia in 2021, he appeared in 14 games as a backup, recording 22 tackles, two sacks, and an interception he returned for a touchdown. He became a full-time starter the following season and was named to the Butkus Award Watch List, which is given annually to the nation’s best linebacker.

In December 2023, Dumas-Johnson transferred to Kentucky. Throughout his college career, he logged 1,686 defensive snaps, totaled 144 tackles, and generated 52 quarterback pressures.

Green Bay’s linebacker corps has the least competition heading into training camp. Edgerrin Cooper and Quay Walker should be starters. However, beyond them, it’s uncertain who will serve as the immediate backup and who will primarily contribute on special teams.

Luckily for Dumas-Johnson, he’s no stranger to handling both roles. He contributed on defense and special teams in college. Last season alone, he played 577 defensive snaps, along with 47 on field goal and extra point block units, and 8 on the punt return team. The year before, he logged 336 defensive snaps, 21 on punt coverage, 11 on punt return, and 10 on field goal/extra point block.

Dumas-Johnson offers plenty of upside. He’s fast, explosive, and can rush the passer and drop into coverage. The Packers won’t ask him to cover someone like Justin Jefferson, like Joe Barry did with Preston Smith. Still, his versatility could give him an edge over the other non-starters in the linebacker room.

Green Bay should have the flexibility to deploy Isaiah Simmons as a linebacker and a safety. However, if injuries pile up on the back end, the team could move Simmons to a full-time safety role, potentially opening up a spot in the linebacker rotation for Dumas-Johnson. Moreover, Kristian Welch should exclusively be a special teams contributor if he makes the final roster. In contrast, Dumas-Johnson has shown the ability to be productive on both defense and special teams, which gives him an edge in the competition for a roster spot.

Four inside linebackers should make the final roster: Quay Walker, Edgerrin Cooper, Isaiah McDuffie, and Ty’Ron Hopper. Green Bay has kept five off-ball linebackers in each of the past two seasons, so the final spot will likely come down to a competition between Dumas-Johnson, Welch, and Simmons. However, given his versatility, it’s hard to imagine the Packers letting Simmons go. If that holds, he would likely be the fifth linebacker on the depth chart.

There’s still a long way to go before teams make their final cuts, but Isaiah Simmons' versatility is one thing working in Dumas-Johnson’s favor. If Green Bay decides to deploy Simmons as a hybrid safety, it could open up a spot at linebacker. Given the limited competition within the position group, Dumas-Johnson is the most viable candidate to claim a 53-man roster spot.