Let me kick this off by telling you a bit of a silly story. I'm a Madden Franchise mode fanatic, have been for a very long time. I love the team-building aspect and the ability to develop players; to me, it's like being a GM/Coach alongside the gameplay. If you play Madden Franchise mode, you may know that you can import a rookie class from different creators, and my hat is off to them, who will spend hours/days/weeks creating draft classes that match upcoming rookie classes. Skill levels and draft position aren't always the same, but these folks do a pretty good job of allowing players like me to draft real-life college players in the game. 

Over the many years that I've used this feature, I've drafted several players in the game that the Packers later ended up drafting in real life, such as Tucker Kraft and Zach Tom. This year, when I put on my virtual GM hat, I liked a 6'4 327-pound defensive tackle from Georgia named Nazir Stackhouse. In the game, Stackhouse was projected to go in the fifth round, the same as the real Nazir Stackhouse. I made sure to draft him in the 5th round, and he went on to be a very valuable depth piece on my Madden-version Packers team. Of course, the real Nazir Stackhouse went undrafted before the Packers signed him after the conclusion of the 2025 Draft. But despite the difference in how they got to the Packers, virtual Stackhouse and real Stackhouse have something in common: they both turned heads in training camp. 

Let's go full reality now.

Despite his undrafted status, Nazir Stackhouse arrived in Green Bay as almost an immediate candidate to replace the recently departed TJ Slaton as a big-body run defender. DC Jeff Hafley described Stackhouse as a powerful, stout defender in the middle. He can play shade, play on the guard, above the center, and he can hold up on double teams. Packer fans are no strangers to big defensive tackles clogging up the middle. Memories of players like Gilbert Brown and BJ Raji come to mind whenever you think of that, and perhaps Stackhouse being assigned the number 93, the same as the old Gravedigger, could be a good omen for him in building success with Green Bay. 

Throughout training camp, Stackhouse showed flashes of that run-stuffing defensive tackle he was advertised as. He had quite a few running plays where you would see him blow up or clog the middle on run plays, holding his own against the offensive line. Many may stare down his stat line in preseason action, only seeing four tackles, three QB hurries, and a batted pass. But it was worth noting that Stackhouse was owning the line of scrimmage at times, and for a player who's just getting used to the way the pros do it, once the game slows down for him, he could become a force for the Packers' defense. 

The Packers definitely agree on his potential, keeping him on their initial 53-man roster and not exposing him to waivers right away to start the season. 

Looking ahead to the season

When you're a roster bubble player without that draft investment behind you, there's a target on your back. Nazir Stackhouse may have made the initial 53-man roster, but that's not to say he could fall victim to the waiver wire if the Packers need to fill a different need on the roster. Stackhouse has the potential to be a run-stuffer in the future, but the Packers aren't about to trot him out there against the Lions in week 1 for a heavy workload. His job right now is to work on perfecting his craft so that when his number is called, he's not a liability. 

The Packers will be looking to give Stackhouse experience at this point. Time and repetition are the only ways the game is going to slow down for him. If Stackhouse is on the active gameday roster, there's a chance you might see 93 run out onto the field in a few short-yardage situations to help take up space. It's his job right now to listen to his teammates and coaches and make sure his arrow is always pointing up. 

The Packers have a history of undrafted free agents going on to become success stories. Stackhouse may have a decent enough ceiling to put together a respectable career if he keeps improving. Stackhouse earned the nickname "Big Sleepy" during his time with the Georgia Bulldogs due to his narcolepsy diagnosis. The Packers have addressed this through medication. But I think it would be wise not to sleep on Big Sleepy rising to become a contributor for the Packers in the future.