The Green Bay Packers have quietly pulled off one of the more intriguing signings of the offseason by adding former Colorado and Vanderbilt standout wide receiver Will Sheppard to their roster. While the move may not send shockwaves across the NFL landscape like a high-profile trade or blockbuster free agency deal, it carries significant implications for a young Packers team trying to elevate quarterback Jordan Love’s ceiling and stack talent across a developing wide receiver corps. With this signing, Green Bay is betting on upside, physicality, and a player with untapped potential who, under the right circumstances, could prove to be one of the more valuable under-the-radar additions of the year.
For those familiar with Will Sheppard’s collegiate resume, the potential is obvious. A product of Vanderbilt before transferring to Colorado for his final season, Sheppard boasts a rare combination of size, body control, and toughness. Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing over 200 pounds, Sheppard consistently used his frame to outmuscle defensive backs and win contested catches. At Vanderbilt, he served as the primary option for multiple seasons, racking up over 2,000 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns before opting to transfer to Coach Deion Sanders’ Colorado program for one final collegiate season.
Though his time in Boulder didn’t produce the eye-popping numbers some expected due to the Buffaloes’ offensive inconsistency and porous protection for quarterback Shedeur Sanders, scouts never stopped valuing Sheppard’s tape. He routinely created separation, ran crisp routes, and showed an NFL-caliber catch radius, even if the statistics didn’t reflect his true impact. Now, with the Packers taking a chance on him, Sheppard gets a clean slate in an NFL system that could unlock everything he’s capable of becoming.
For the Packers, the signing is strategic. General manager Brian Gutekunst has prioritized surrounding Jordan Love with weapons who can grow with him. In just his first full year as the starter, Love showed major flashes of brilliance, especially down the stretch as Green Bay fought for a playoff spot and ultimately knocked off the Cowboys in a stunning Wild Card upset. With a core group of receivers like Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, and tight ends Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft, the Packers have an extremely young but talented group of pass catchers. Adding Sheppard only adds to that arsenal and creates more internal competition — a hallmark of the Packers’ developmental strategy.
What’s notable about Sheppard’s skillset is how it complements what Green Bay already has. While Watson and Doubs stretch the field with vertical speed and Reed thrives in the slot with quickness and change of direction, Sheppard brings more of a possession receiver and red zone presence. He has a knack for winning one-on-one battles and high-pointing the football — two traits that are invaluable when drives stall in tight coverage areas. It’s the kind of physical profile Green Bay has been somewhat missing since Davante Adams departed for Las Vegas. While Sheppard isn’t expected to replicate Adams’ impact, his frame and style may finally give Jordan Love a receiver who can win in contested situations when the play breaks down or when separation is minimal.
The transition from college to the NFL is rarely seamless, but Green Bay has built an environment that fosters development. Head coach Matt LaFleur runs a receiver-friendly offense that schemes open opportunities and emphasizes timing and rhythm, particularly in play-action scenarios. LaFleur’s offense also values receivers who are willing blockers, and Sheppard fits that mold well, having earned praise in college for his physicality in the run game. That could quickly endear him to coaches and teammates alike.
Of course, there’s also the intangible element. Will Sheppard is known for his leadership and work ethic. At Vanderbilt, he was a captain and the emotional heartbeat of the offense. His teammates often spoke about his drive, competitiveness, and professionalism — traits that can’t be taught. That attitude followed him to Colorado, even during a tumultuous season that saw the Buffaloes go from national darlings to back-page afterthoughts. Through it all, Sheppard remained steady, focused, and determined to prove himself. Those qualities could serve him well in an NFL training camp, where opportunities are often earned as much off the field as on it.
It’s worth noting that Sheppard went undrafted in April, which came as a surprise to many draft analysts who had him pegged as a Day 3 pick. His underwhelming statistical output at Colorado may have scared some teams off, but for the Packers, it presented a low-risk, high-upside opportunity. Green Bay has built a strong reputation for identifying talent after the draft, and in many cases, their undrafted free agents have gone on to carve out meaningful roles — think of Allen Lazard, who became a reliable starter after entering the league as an unheralded prospect.
If Sheppard can replicate even a fraction of that trajectory, the Packers will have struck gold. The timing of the signing is also notable. With training camp right around the corner, Sheppard will have the opportunity to showcase his talent in real-time, go head-to-head against NFL-caliber corners, and absorb the playbook during the critical early-install periods. It’s a chance not every player gets, and Sheppard will need to make the most of it.
The bigger question this move raises is how the Packers plan to organize their wide receiver depth chart. With several young options already in the fold and a likely four-to-five man rotation on game days, Sheppard may find himself initially on the fringe of the 53-man roster. However, special teams could be his ticket. Players who contribute in multiple phases often find ways to stick, and if Sheppard can prove valuable as a gunner, return specialist, or even on coverage units, his chances of making the final cut increase dramatically.
There’s also the possibility that Sheppard could be a long-term investment. Even if he doesn’t crack the 53-man roster immediately, he could find a spot on the practice squad, where Green Bay would have the opportunity to further develop him without rushing his progress. In today’s NFL, where injuries are inevitable and depth is paramount, having a 6’3″ wideout with SEC pedigree and elite ball skills waiting in the wings is not a luxury — it’s smart roster management.
In the context of the NFC North, the Packers are clearly betting on Jordan Love and the youth movement surrounding him. While other teams in the division — like the Vikings and Bears — have made big-name moves or drafted high-profile players, Green Bay has doubled down on continuity, development, and depth. The addition of Will Sheppard fits perfectly within that philosophy. It’s not about winning the offseason headline war; it’s about finding the right pieces that will help win games in December and January.
For Sheppard, the opportunity is simple yet powerful: prove everyone wrong. Show the league that your lack of draft buzz doesn’t define your future. Demonstrate to the Packers — and yourself — that your ceiling hasn’t even been scratched. In a league full of players who were once overlooked, Sheppard now has the platform to add his name to the list of late bloomers who found their stride in the pros.
The signing also sends a subtle message to the Packers’ current receiver room: nothing is guaranteed. Jobs are won in camp and secured through performance. The best players will play — regardless of how they arrived. For Jordan Love, it’s another target with size and hands. For Sheppard, it’s a life-changing shot. And for Green Bay, it might just be another example of the franchise’s quiet brilliance in building talent from the bottom up.
Whether Sheppard becomes a surprise contributor this season, a special teams ace, or simply a name to watch in 2026, the signing represents the kind of calculated risk that often separates good front offices from great ones. Time will tell what his impact becomes, but for now, the Packers have added a weapon — and Jordan Love has one more reason to feel optimistic about the season ahead.
