The Green Bay Packers have added some serious muscle to their offensive line with the signing of Illinois guard Josh Gesky as an undrafted free agent. And while going undrafted might raise eyebrows, don't let that fool you—this is a player many draft analysts had their eyes on.

According to Dane Brugler of The Athletic, Gesky was ranked as the 23rd-best guard in his class with a seventh-round grade. The Packers got a head start on recruiting him, too, hosting him as a pre-draft visitor. That early connection paid off, and now Gesky is set to compete for a spot on the roster.

Gesky's college resume is impressive. A three-time All-Big Ten selection, he started 32 games at left guard and two at right guard for the Illini. Over four seasons, he logged 2,200 snaps, per Pro Football Focus. His senior year was his best yet: in 2025, he allowed just one sack and 12 total pressures across 849 snaps, committing only one penalty. His overall PFF grade of 72.5 was a career high.

But what really turned heads was his pro day workout. At 6-foot-5 and 307 pounds, the 23-year-old ran a 5.03-second 40-yard dash, cranked out 30 reps on the bench press, and posted a 33-inch vertical leap. His broad jump measured 9 feet 1 inch, and he finished the short shuttle in 4.95 seconds and the three-cone drill in 8.06 seconds. Those numbers earned him a Relative Athletic Score of 9.31 out of 10.0—highlighting elite size, explosion, and speed.

So what do the experts say about this versatile lineman? Gesky was a three-star recruit coming out of high school, drawing Ivy League interest from Columbia, Harvard, and Princeton. He chose to stay close to home and play in the Big Ten, working his way into the starting lineup as a sophomore. His body has been a work in progress, too: he enrolled at 260 pounds, played at around 330 pounds in 2025, and slimmed down to under 310 for his pro day. Scouts note he has a big-boned frame that can be adjusted as needed.

There's also a personal story worth knowing: Gesky was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 6. Scouts say he manages it well, always keeping water or Gatorade nearby during games and practices. On the field, while his redirect skills are considered marginal, he has adequate feet and an eager, physical approach that fits the Packers' offensive line philosophy.

For a team that values athleticism and versatility in the trenches, Josh Gesky looks like a promising addition with plenty of upside.