The Green Bay Packers had a fruitful 2024 NFL Draft, securing 12 rookies across seven rounds and setting the stage for several position battles in training camp. Additionally, they added promising undrafted free agents in the days following the draft to enhance roster depth and competition.
The rookie minicamp provided an initial opportunity to evaluate these prospects. Observing who has the potential to earn a spot on the training camp roster and compete for a place on the final 53-man roster, the Packers conducted their rookie minicamp over the past weekend.
A hopeful participant aiming to showcase his abilities during the minicamp and secure a spot in the rotation for the upcoming season was defensive tackle James Ester. However, the Northern Illinois standout encountered a setback as he sustained an upper-body injury on Saturday, as reported by Matt Schneidman.
Following the 2024 NFL Draft on April 30, the Packers and Ester reached an agreement. Ester, who served as a four-year team captain and earned Northern Illinois’ MVP honors twice, boasts an impressive collegiate resume. In his 43 starts, he accumulated 121 tackles, including 20 tackles for loss, and registered nine sacks. Notably, he ranked 23rd among all interior defenders in 2023 in terms of run-stop rate.
Despite not selecting a defensive end or interior defensive lineman in this year’s draft, the Packers’ roster in this area remains robust. Presently, Devonte Wyatt and Kenny Clark are slated to start at the tackle positions, with Preston Smith and Rashan Gary holding down the edges.
Additional depth at the position is provided by recent draft selections like Karl Brooks, Jonathan Ford, and Colby Wooden. Consequently, Ester may face a challenging competition for a roster spot. It is hoped that the injury he suffered during the minicamp does not impede his ability to compete before the start of the season.
