Packers claim TE Ben Sims off waivers from Vikings
The Green Bay Packers have claimed tight end Ben Sims off waivers from the Minnesota Vikings. The team also claimed defensive back Zayne Anderson from the Buffalo Bills.
Sims was not selected in the 2023 NFL Draft before signing an undrafted free agent deal with the Vikings.
He spent five years at Baylor, finishing his career with 43 games played and 78 catches.
Sims made 31 catches during the 2021 season with 361 yards and six touchdowns. He followed that up with 31 receptions, 255 receiving yards and three touchdowns in 2022.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein said prior to the draft that Sims was projected to be a priority free agent.
“Tight end with average size and talent as a run blocker but the tools to get a little better in that area,” Zierlein said in his pre-draft scouting report. “Baylor frequently used Sims as a wingback who was asked to base block, lead block and get into space on outside zone. As a pass-catcher, he lacks separation talent and is going to get what is given to him by the defense. Sims’ average traits mean he will likely need to be in a favorable situation to make a roster.”
The three tight ends on the Packers roster following the cuts down to 53 players were Luke Musgrave, Josiah Deguara, Tyler Kraft. Deguara started three games for the Packers last season with 13 receptions for 114 yards.
Kraft and Musgrave were both selected in this past NFL Draft. Musgrave was taken in the second round out of Oregon State. Kraft was selected in the third round out of South Dakota State.
Green Bay is without its leading pass catcher at tight end last season, Robert Tonyan, who signed with the Chicago Bears in the offseason.
Sims will not only join a young tight end room but also a younger and more inexperienced Green Bay offense in general. This season will be the Packers’ first without Aaron Rodgers at quarterback in a decade-and-a-half as Jordan Love takes over as the team’s starting quarterback. Someone who believes in what Love can provide for Green Bay is New England Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon.
“He’s a good kid, very calm, composed,” Judon said, per Ryan Wood of PackersNews.com. “I think he’s going to be a great leader for this organization, a good player. We all can see the arm talent. He’s got some nice arm talent.”