Packers Invite Projected #1 Pick to Rookie Mini-Camp

The 2025 NFL Draft, hosted by the Green Bay Packers despite being (by far) the smallest market in the league, saw Miami quarterback Cam Ward taken with the first overall pick by the Tennessee Titans. This development, despite the claims of many regarding the supposed draft standing of Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders (who was taken by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round), was well-known in the days leading up to the draft’s first round.

Of course, the hours and days following the NFL Draft are filled with news of undrafted free agent signings. There are also other professional football leagues that show interest in prospects that went undrafted, offering these players the chance to prove themselves and showcase their talents.

One of these is the Canadian Football League (CFL), which saw their projected number one overall pick accept an invite to the Packers’ rookie mini-camp.

The Green Bay Packers Have Invited Former Wyoming Linebacker Connor Shay to Rookie Mini-Camp

One of the most exciting players that went undrafted and, thus far, un-signed is Wyoming linebacker Connor Shay. Last season, his first as a starter, Shay had 76 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks.

In his first three seasons at Wyoming, Shay had 21 total tackles, none for loss, and no sacks.

While his senior year performance was not enough to warrant him getting drafted by an NFL team, he is expected to be the first overall pick in the CFL Draft, which takes place on April 29.

He may not, though, end up getting selected with that top pick because he has accepted an invite to Green Bay’s rookie mini-camp:

The Packers currently have Quay Walker, Edgerrin Cooper, and Isaiah McDuffie as their top linebackers on the roster. While Shay has not even been offered a contract and a spot on the 90-man roster, it will be interesting to see if he can make enough noise during rookie mini-camp to change that.

This, of course, is what might hinder CFL teams from selecting him early in their own draft. Undoubtedly, he will get drafted into that league at some point, but it may not be first overall since he has a chance to make it in the NFL with the Packers now.