Green Bay Four of the 10 undrafted rookie free agents to crack the Green Bay Packers' opening-day roster in the last decade were running backs.
Northwestern's Tyrell Sutton has a reasonable chance to become the fifth.
Just as Basil Mitchell in 1999, Herbert "Whisper" Goodman in 2000, Tony Fisher in 2002 and Kregg Lumpkin in 2008 did before him, Sutton has performed far better than the typical free agent.
"Like him . . . I really like him," offensive coordinator Joe Philbin said Thursday. "He's got quick moves with his feet. He's got the big lower body. Bright kid. He's been impressive."
Sutton, 5-foot-7 1/2 inches and 213 pounds, has dispelled the knock that he's a little back. From the waist down, he is built almost like a fullback.
"Pound for pound, that little running back is a strong little dude," said Dave Redding, who coordinates the strength program.
Despite taking as many practice turns as any back in camp due to injuries suffered by Brandon Jackson and DeShawn Wynn, Sutton hasn't missed a minute of work. He also has increased his weight to 213, up 8 pounds from his senior year at Northwestern and up 25 since his record-setting freshman season in 2005.
"I did it so Id be able to take more hits," said Sutton. "But it was more intended to get out of the whole scatback category."
A four-year starter, Sutton ranks No. 2 on the Wildcats' rushing list with 3,886 yards and his 1,244 receiving yards are more than any back. His predecessor in the NU backfield, former Packer Noah Herron, finished with 2,524 rushing and 781 receiving.
Like Herron, Sutton has great hands and isn't afraid to step up against a pass-rushing linebacker. He demonstrated that the second night of training camp by stopping A.J. Hawk dead in his tracks.
"He's not bashful," Philbin said. "Good football player."
Despite his accomplishments in the Big Ten, Sutton wrecked his chances to be drafted by running 40 yards in 4.71 seconds on pro day. The rest of his workout wasn't very impressive, either, and the Packers probably wouldn't have signed him if he hadn't run much faster (4.61) for them in a private workout shortly before the draft.
If Sutton doesn't make it, his lack of breakaway speed might be the reason.
"Some guys are track athletes, some guys arent," said Sutton. "Im a football player. Im pretty sure it did hurt me. But you got somebody chasing you, you got adrenaline running and a lot of things that can make you move a lot faster."
Although Sutton hasn't tasted live tackling yet, he is positive there's a place for him in pro football.
"There's no question about it," he said. "I go out every single day with these guys and learn more and more tricks of the trade. I'm confident, and a competitor."
With the exhibition season about to unfold, Ryan Grant is the only running back with a roster berth in hand. Jackson has been his primary backup for two seasons, Wynn stood out early before getting hurt and the 230-pound Lumpkin is the type of power back that the Packers traditionally have preferred.