Sal

Cannella

Cannella has been a standout tight end for the UFL’s Arlington Renegades. He totaled 496 yards and a league-leading six touchdowns over five games for the Renegades during the 2024 UFL regular season. Cannella was targeted on 21 percent of his routes, a strong rate for a tight end. The former Auburn product has had tryouts for other NFL teams, including the Packers. He likely wouldn’t see much playing time behind Juwan Johnson and Taysom Hill if he makes the New Orleans roster.

The Packers also worked out TE Sal Cannella, OT Airon Servais, and CB Bryce Watts. With Julio Jones and Will Fuller still out there, trying out Brown is as underwhelming as it gets. Green Bay may just be looking for an extra camp body, as Brown wasn’t much more than that last year. He started the 2021 offseason with Las Vegas, but couldn’t crack their final roster. He then spent time with the Broncos, Jags, and Bucs. Despite the Packers’ thin receiving room, Brown is a long-shot to make their roster if he signs in Green Bay.

Cannella (6'4/242) did not receive a combine invitation, but less than a week after festivities in Indianapolis wrapped, he was able to put in his own testing results in pro day work. In addition to the 4.73-second 40-yard dash, Cannella posted jumps of 33.5 inches (vertical) and 9-foot-4 (broad). He also logged 20 reps on the bench press. While Cannella played receiver at Auburn, he profiles as a future tight end should he latch on in the pros this spring.

Cannella (6'5/232) caught a 37-yard touchdown pass from Bo Nix midway through the second quarter. On fourth down, at that. That wound up the junior’s only grab of the contest. Cannella registered a 10-188-2 receiving line across eight games played for the 2019 campaign.

The 6-foot-5, 225-pounder is the No. 36 overall JUCO prospect in the ESPN JC 50. “Confident pass catcher with good hands and ability to extend and catch ball away from frame,” ESPN noted in a scouting report. “Displays good concentration and flashes ability to use frame to shield defenders. Displays adequate body control. Solid route runner that can use some savvy to find openings and create some separation.” Cannella is more pass-catcher than fully-formed TE. He should fit nicely in Auburn’s spread offense.

Cannella (6'5/225) was working with the wide receivers group during the three open-media practice windows last week. Writes Ferguson, “Cannella looks smooth as a natural receiver, and (OC) Chip Lindsey commented on the ‘edge’ he brings to the position. While he lined up with the first team on the outside last Monday, he has a ton of potential as a big slot receiver, too.” ESPN ranked him as the No. 1 JUCO tight end in the country for the 2017 cycle, No. 36 overall.

“He’s got a little edge about him — it’s impressive. He’s a smart football player, knows how to route-run, has really good body control, does a great job catching the ball with his hands. I like what he’s bringing to the table so far,” Lindsey said. The 6-foot-5, 225-pounder is not being viewed strictly as a tight end, as he was working with the wide receivers group during the first week of practice. Auburn HC Gus Malzahn said that Lindsey will likely move the versatile Cannella around during the season depending on what the team needs offensively.

Cannella (6'5/232) joins Nate Craig-Myers, Ryan Davis and Darius Slayton as part of Auburn’s starting corp at wideout. As can be obviously noted, he’s pretty big for a slot receiver, having actually joined the Tigers as a tight end out of the JUCO ranks last year. He caught three passes in his first season of FBS ball, but figures to be more heavily folded into the offensive attack this time around.