Packers Add Edge Depth, Claiming Chauncey Rivers Off Waivers
In need of some added depth at edge rusher, the Green Bay Packers claimed second-year player Chauncey Rivers off of waivers.
By Paul_Bretl
Za'Darius Smith is still on the NFI list, although GM Brian Gutekunst told us that the injury wasn't serious, and Randy Ramsey is expected to miss extended time after leaving practice earlier this week. So it shouldn't come as much of a surprise that the Green Bay Packers claimed edge rusher, Chauncey Rivers, off of waivers after he was cut by the Baltimore Ravens, as reported by ESPN's Rob Demovsky.
Measuring in at 6'3" - 275 pounds, Rivers was an undrafted rookie in the 2020 NFL draft out of Mississippi State who was with the Ravens last season.
Rivers spent his final two collegiate seasons with Mississippi State after beginning his college career with Georgia in 2015 and then spending some time at East Mississippi Community College -- shoutout to the Last Chance U fans out there -- before making his way to the Bulldogs.
During those last two years, Rivers recorded 48 total pressures along with nine sacks in 26 games. As a run defender by PFF's metrics, he graded out as above-average both seasons. At the NFL Combine, he would post a Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of just 1.27 out of 10, which included a 4.97 40-yard dash.
Chauncey Rivers gets the sack with the swat/rip.
Note the effect the swat has on the blocker's balance. @Rivers_cinco does a great job finishing with the rip to clear any resetting hands #PassRush #HailState pic.twitter.com/Mto4Q1QwOh
— DLineVids (@dlinevids1) September 27, 2019
Rivers was on the Ravens' practice squad for a majority of the 2020 campaign, but he did see some snaps Week 12 against Pittsburgh. He was on the field for 15 total snaps, including two as a run defender, 11 as a pass rusher, and two more in coverage. He did not log any stats that day, according to PFF.
For a closer look at Rivers' game, here is what Lance Zierlein of NFL.com had to say about the edge rusher in his pre-draft scouting report:
"Edge worker with ability to beat blockers with strong hands or initial quickness, depending on the matchup. His pad level and contact balance help win inside to disrupt the B-gap. He takes on bigger blockers with sharp hand strikes before sliding away, but maulers can overwhelm him at times. His rush isn't very tools-y, but is fairly fluid and should improve once he adds to the tool belt. Rivers' issues at Georgia were documented in Season 2 of the Netflix documentary series "Last Chance U," but the reset at Mississippi State offered consistent production and play over two seasons. Look for teams to consider him as a 3-4 SAM 'backer with enough short-area athleticism to handle the transition."
To make room on the 90-man roster for Rivers, the Green Bay Packers cut long-snapper Joe Fortunato, according to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, leaving them with only Hunter Bradley at that position.
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__________________________
Born and raised in Green Bay, WI and I still call it home. After my family, watching the Packers, sharing my opinions on the team through my writing and interacting with other fans is my greatest passion. You can find me on Twitter at @Paul_Bretl.
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Comments (13)
Packers0808
August 05, 2021 at 08:36 pm
Wonder if that was a "SNAP" decision!?
Packers0808
August 05, 2021 at 08:36 pm
Wonder if that was a "SNAP" decision!?
Packers0808
August 06, 2021 at 06:44 am
oops repeat post sorry!
EddieLeeIvory
August 06, 2021 at 05:01 am
I like grabbing guys on defense from the Ravens system.
porupack
August 06, 2021 at 06:01 am
Well for the RAS lovers: (RAS) of just 1.27 out of 10, might not place many bets.
stockholder
August 06, 2021 at 07:41 am
I can see why he was cut. Too slow.
Coldworld
August 06, 2021 at 08:31 am
I posted this on an earlier thread when I first heard the news:
Chauncey Rivers, EDGE, Mississippi State
6’2”, 262
“Edge worker with ability to beat blockers with strong hands or initial quickness, depending on the matchup. His pad level and contact balance help win inside to disrupt the B-gap. He takes on bigger blockers with sharp hand strikes before sliding away, but maulers can overwhelm him at times. His rush isn’t very tools-y, but is fairly fluid and should improve once he adds to the tool belt. Rivers’ issues at Georgia were documented in Season 2 of the Netflix documentary series “Last Chance U,” but the reset at Mississippi State offered consistent production and play over two seasons. Look for teams to consider him as a 3-4 SAM ‘backer with enough short-area athleticism to handle the transition.” https://russellstreetreport.com/2020/04/28/ravens-draft-central/ravens-u...
Rivers had a pretty bad day at the combine. Resulted in a sub 2 RAS score for what it is worth. Based on what I can find, that doesn’t tally with his film and the Ravens seem to have agreed enough to hang in to him for a year. I even see a reference to him being able to cover (one can wish). His one game active was summed up thus:
“OLB Chauncey Rivers (14 snaps) played both a standing edge role and rushed from a 3-point stance inside on passing downs. He did not make the stat sheet or generate a pressure, but the Steelers averaged just 4.1 yards on the snaps he played and were 3/7 on 3rd down with him in.” Baltimorefilmstudies.com
ImaPayne2
August 06, 2021 at 11:55 am
So since college and being on a great team he has done nothing but go down hill since then. You usually do 2 small college then big college not vice versa. Oh, well anything to get us through the pre season then we can cut him and say sayonaro sucker
packer132
August 06, 2021 at 08:16 pm
He is a camp body. Don't get your undies in a bundle.
ImaPayne2
August 06, 2021 at 11:56 am
We shouldnt fear though we have the very impressive Rashan Gary who will make up the difference.
LambeauPlain
August 06, 2021 at 01:14 pm
Gutey assistant, Milt Henderson, formerly with the Ravens, keeps a sharp eye on their waiver transaction.
Rivers is slow, but he stuck with one of the best D squads in the NFL. Maybe he is powerful and quick. IDK.
His cut may have been a numbers move. The numbers on the Pack are more favorable but his odds are long. College edge rushers who are top shelf tend to show up in the NFL.
WestWi_Packfan
August 06, 2021 at 11:52 pm
Long Shot to make the roster, may be competing for a practice squad spot if anything.
PatrickGB
August 07, 2021 at 09:24 am
I believe that he is also a graduate of “Last Chance U”.