GREEN BAY – The Packers have added size, versatility and five NFL seasons of experience to their receiving corps with the signing of Devin Funchess on Thursday.
The 6-foot-4, 225-pound receiver caught 163 passes for 2,233 yards and 21 touchdowns during his first four NFL seasons with the Carolina Panthers. Funchess signed with Indianapolis last offseason before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in the Colts' opener against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Here are five things to know about the Packers' new receiver:
1. Funchess is a big target who's made his share of big plays.
Funchess averaged 15.6 yards per catch during his first two seasons before graduating to the Panthers' starting lineup on a permanent basis in 2017. He enjoyed his best season that year, starting all 17 games (including playoffs) and catching a career-high 63 passes for 840 yards and eight touchdowns. Funchess led the Panthers with four catches for 79 yards in their NFC Wild Card game against the New Orleans Saints.
2. He's been historically durable…and is only 25 years old.
Funchess was just 20 when the Panthers drafted him in the second round (41st overall) in 2015, allowing the former University of Michigan standout to now hit free agency for the third time before his 26th birthday in May of 2021. He'd also missed only three games in his NFL career prior to the collarbone injury that landed him on injured reserve with the Colts.
3. Funchess played everywhere for Michigan.
Funchess made All-Big Ten teams as both a tight end (2013) and receiver (2014) during his three years in Ann Arbor. He broke a school record for most receiving yards in a season by a tight end (748) in 2013. Funchess later was honored as Big Ten tight end of the year. He made the switch to receiver as a junior, catching a team-high 62 passes for 733 yards and four touchdowns. No other Wolverine had more than 36 catches, 473 yards or two touchdowns.
4. Scouts loved his hybrid attributes in the pre-draft process.
Leading up to the 2014 NFL Draft, scouts loved Funchess' size and versatility. Many top scouting agencies saw him as a matchup nightmare who could line up as a traditional receiver or move tight end. Funchess clocked a 4.70-second time in the 40 at the NFL Scouting Combine but rebounded with a 4.47 at his Michigan pro day. He finished in the top 10 among his receiving peers with a 38½-inch vertical and 17 bench reps of 225 pounds in Indianapolis.
Snapshots of Green Bay Packers WR Devin Funchess.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Devin Funchess (17) during an NFL regular season football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017 in Charlotte.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Devin Funchess (17) celebrates a first down catch against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Devin Funchess (17) celebrates a first down against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Devin Funchess (17) signals a first down after a catch during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, September 20, 2015 in Charlotte.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Devin Funchess crosses the goal for a touchdown as New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler, right, during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Devin Funchess (17)
makes a catch against the defense of New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore (23) in action Sunday January 7, 2018 in New Orleans.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Devin Funchess (17) pulls in a touchdown reception in front of New Orleans Saints free safety Vonn Bell (48) in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Devin Funchess (17) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins on Monday, Nov. 13, 2017, in Charlotte, N.C.
The Carolina Panthers' Devin Funchess (17) on the sidelines during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2016, in Charlotte, N.C.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Devin Funchess (17) pulls down a touchdown reception against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017.
Carolina Panthers' Devin Funchess (17) celebrates his touchdown catch against the Minnesota Vikings during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Devin Funchess (17) catches the ball during a week 5 NFL football game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017 in Detroit.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Devin Funchess (right) catches a touchdown pass over Washington Redskins cornerback Quinton Dunbar (left) during an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Washington Redskins, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018, in Landover, Md.
Carolina Panthers' Devin Funchess (17) runs for a touchdown after a catch against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Devin Funchess (17) celebrates his touchdown pass reception during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018 in Landover, Md.
Carolina Panthers' Devin Funchess (17) celebrates his touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Devin Funchess (17) in action during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018.
Carolina Panthers' Devin Funchess (17) takes the field prior to the start of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Devin Funchess (17) laughs on the sideline during an NFL Week 9 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018, in Charlotte, N.C.
Carolina Panthers' Devin Funchess (17) stretches in vain as Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Justin Evans (21) defends in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018.
Carolina Panthers' Devin Funchess (17) runs for a touchdown after a catch against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Devin Funchess (17) runs for yardage after a catch in action against the Washington Redskins on Sunday Oct. 14, 2018 in Landover, Md.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Devin Funchess (17) gets set to runs a route against the Cleveland Browns during an NFL football game in Cleveland, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Devin Funchess (17) runs upfield after making a reception during an NFL Week 9 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018, in Charlotte, N.C.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Devin Funchess (17) runs with the ball during an NFL game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018, Philadelphia. The Panthers defeated the Eagles 21-17.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Devin Funchess (17) catches a pass in front of Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Carlton Davis (33) during an NFL Week 9 game on Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018, in Charlotte, N.C.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Devin Funchess during pregame of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Detroit.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Devin Funchess (17) is pursued by Detroit Lions cornerback Darius Slay (23) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Detroit.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Devin Funchess (17) catches a pass during warm-ups prior to an NFL game against the New Orleans Saints, Monday, Dec. 17, 2018 in Charlotte, N.C.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Devin Funchess (17) carries the ball during warm-ups prior to an NFL game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018 in Charlotte, N.C.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Devin Funchess (17) warms up before the start of a NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Dec. 17, 2018.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Devin Funchess (17) takes a break during warm-ups prior to an NFL game against the New Orleans Saints, Monday, Dec. 17, 2018 in Charlotte, N.C.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Devin Funchess (17) catches a pass during warm-ups prior to an NFL game against the New Orleans Saints, Monday, Dec. 17, 2018 in Charlotte, N.C.
5. Football drives Funchess.
Funchess uses his humble upbringing in Farmington Hills, Mich., as personal motivation to succeed in football. Due to his family's tight financial situation, Funchess made it his goal in high school to earn a college scholarship. He did so following a standout career at Harrison (Mich.) High School. Funchess caught 55 passes for 1,161 yards and 10 touchdowns during his final two seasons at Harrison, while the school captured Michigan's Division II state title during Funchess' junior year.
