The Green Bay Packers just snagged rookie wide receiver Chris Hilton Jr. off waivers from the Washington Commanders, bringing another new target into their training camp mix. This isn’t just some random addition, either, as the move puts the Packers’ roster back at full capacity after making room for him.
Another Speedster Hits Green Bay
The waiver claim for Hilton went down Sunday, with the rookie wideout previously signing with the Commanders as an undrafted free agent after the 2026 draft. Washington waived him Saturday, and Green Bay wasted no time making their move. To clear a spot for Hilton, the Packers waived cornerback Marlon Jones and defensive back Johnathan Baldwin on Sunday. This actually marks the second receiver they’ve added in as many days, following the signing of Kisean Johnson, who was with the team to end the 2025 season. Hilton’s gonna need to pass a physical, but if he does, he’ll be on the roster and ready to practice by Monday. Talk about a whirlwind weekend for the kid!
The Numbers Don’t Lie… Or Do They?
Okay, so let’s get into what really makes Hilton interesting, and maybe a little confusing. This dude can *fly*, clocking a blistering 4.41-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. You read that right, 4.41! He also put up a solid 34.5-inch vertical leap and stretched out for a 122-inch broad jump. Those are eye-popping numbers for speed and explosiveness, right? But here’s the kicker: despite that insane 40 time, his Relative Athletic Score, or RAS, came in at a measly 5.83. Why so low? The scouting report points to “poor size and agility testing.” Hilton measured 6-0 and 188 pounds at the Combine, and his three-cone drill time was 7.25 seconds. So, while he’s got straight-line burners, there are questions about his overall athleticism and change of direction. It’s a real head-scratcher.
Big Play Potential Amidst Low Volume
His college career at LSU paints a similar picture of tantalizing potential mixed with some question marks. Hilton had an injury-filled run, playing in 38 games over five seasons. He pulled in 41 total passes for 780 yards and six touchdowns. Now, that’s not a huge volume of work, and he never caught more than 13 passes or racked up more than 243 yards in any single season. The PFF stats back it up, showing he ran only 431 total routes and saw just 76 targets across those five years. But here’s the juicy part: his speed was always evident in big plays. He finished his career with a whopping 19.0 yards per catch average! That’s serious deep threat ability. PFF also noted he lined up primarily on the outside. The flip side? He lacked size and reportedly struggled in contested catch situations, only hauling in 3 out of 17 targets in those scenarios. So, can he translate that big-play speed to the NFL despite the other flags? That’s the million-dollar question.
It’s going to be wild watching Hilton try to carve out a spot with the Packers. With that kind of raw speed, he’s definitely got an intriguing skill set, but he’s gotta prove he can put it all together. Keep an eye out for how he performs once he hits the practice field on Monday!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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