The Green Bay Packers add another name to their offseason roster, signing former Vanderbilt cornerback Marlon Jones as an undrafted free agent. While Jones enters the NFL as a long shot to make Green Bay’s 53-man roster, his story alone makes him one of the easiest players to root for heading into training camp.
The move, first reported by Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports, gives the Packers another young defensive back to develop in a cornerback room that continues to add competition following the 2026 NFL Draft.
Packers Sign Marlon Jones Following Remarkable Journey
Before becoming an undrafted free agent, Marlon Jones was considered one of the FCS’s top defensive backs. Jones started his college career at Eastern Washington, where he grew into a successful cornerback over four years. He made nine interceptions during his time there and received high coverage grades, including an 84.3 from PFF in 2023. That season as well, quarterbacks had a 49.2 passer rating when targeting him, showing his ability to stay competitive in coverage against wide receivers.
Jones transferred to Vanderbilt in 2024, hoping to prove himself at the SEC level, following his breakout season at Eastern Washington. Instead, life provided a far greater challenge than football for him. Jones was diagnosed with stage 3 Hodgkin’s lymphoma just one day before his planned move to Nashville, forcing him to stop playing football and miss the entire 2024 season while undergoing treatment. Rather than let his diagnosis define him, Jones fought his way back.
By 2025, he was in full remission and cleared to return to Vanderbilt’s field and play. While his production was limited (he played 122 defensive snaps and made nine tackles in nine games), simply returning to college football after cancer treatment was an impressive feat.
Why the Packers Took a Chance on Marlon Jones
The Packers obviously see traits here that are worth developing. 6’0, 190 pounds, Jones ran a 4.50 40-yard dash (at pre-draft) to go along with a 39-inch vertical. These translate to an 8.26 RAS, right where Green Bay prefers their young secondary talent to be.
A Crowded Cornerback Competition Awaits
Marlon Jones enters a crowded cornerback room that already features veterans and several young players fighting for roster spots. He joins rookies like second-round pick Brandon Cisse and sixth-round selection Domani Jackson, along with returning contributors such as Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, Benjamin St-Juste, Kamal Hadden, Jaylin Simpson, Shemar Bartholomew, and recent waiver addition M.J. Devonshire.
Making the initial 53-man roster will be challenging. But the Packers have a history of finding diamonds in the rough and making them grow. After all he has faced, just getting another shot in football feels like a victory. Now, Marlon Jones has the chance to show he deserves a spot at the NFL level.
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