Four months remain until the Brazil season begins, and the Packers have a lot of questions at cornerback.
The bet made at cornerback by general manager Brian Gutekunst might make or break the Green Bay Packers’ chances of winning this year’s Super Bowl in New Orleans.
Former All-Pro Jaire Alexander is being paid a lot of money by the Packers, who also re-signed Keisean Nixon to fill the role this offseason. However, who will start at the other cornerback position, and will that man be capable of stopping A.J. Brown, Justin Jefferson, or Deebo Samuel with the game on the line?
Defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley at least has time on his side as the 2024 NFL season is about four months away from beginning in Brazil against the Philadelphia Eagles, a club led by quarterback Jalen Hurts and featuring three talented receivers in A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and DeVante Parker.
On Monday, Hafley stated, “We’re on the field doing some individual work.” “I believe Derrick Ansley, the coordinator of the defensive passing game, has done a really good job with those guys.”
“It goes without saying that Ja has been present, attentive, and hard at work. He has performed admirably in drill training and in the classroom. I believe Stokes is a boy since I’ve watched him perform, watch the movie, and observe his speed, and thus far, he’s been impressive. Valentine did a pretty good job. All of those men, including Keisean, are excellent football players in my opinion.
Stokes should be the second cornerback opposite Alexander, according to selection pedigree. According to Sports Info Solutions, Stokes, a first-round pick in 2021, had a 46.2 percent completion percentage and 5.3 yards allowed per target in his rookie season, making him deserving of all-rookie distinction.
Nevertheless, his career has taken a nosedive rather than progressing. After missing the last eight games due to a foot injury in 2022, Stokes gave up 73.9 percent completion percentage and 10.8 yards per target. In 2023, he appeared in three games and spent three stints on the injured list.
Valentine was thrown into the starting lineup last year as Alexander and Stokes were sidelined by injuries. As a rookie selected in the seventh round, he showed promise at times, as evidenced by his 51.1 percent completion percentage and 6.6 yards per target as reported by SIS.
But how would people have perceived his season if Quentin Johnston of the Chargers hadn’t missed a 70-yard touchdown pass in the last 30 seconds? Or had Valentine been called for a clear-cut pass-interference play against Marquez Valdes-Scanting and the Chiefs inside the 10-yard line?
The Packers might have finished 7-10 and never defeated the Cowboys in the playoffs if not for that amazing stroke of luck.
Gutekunst, however, disapproved of the notion that he was “rolling the dice” at cornerback.
After the selection, he remarked, “Obviously, Valentine played exceptionally well for us last year and Eric looks very good right now.” “Corey Ballentine, who gave us some excellent football play, is back with us. I think our depth there is good. It makes me feel fairly nice. If things had turned out that way, we wouldn’t have hesitated to add, but they didn’t.
“But, because I really like the guys in that room, I didn’t feel the overwhelming need to be aggressive toward that position.”
In the seventh round, Gutekunst selected Penn State’s Kalen King as his lone cornerback addition. A expected first-round selection following an All-American campaign in 2022, he only had two passes defensed in 2023 compared to 21 in 2022. At the Scouting Combine, he also showed below-average athletic abilities.
Can someone from that group, facing the formidable Eagles in four months, step up to the plate? In five seasons, Brown has averaged roughly 1,200 yards. In three seasons, Smith has averaged roughly 1,050 yards. Parker’s season total of 1,200 yards is also on his record.
Is there a member of that group who can stop Jordan Addison and Jefferson of the Vikings? D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze of the Bears? Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aikuk of the 49ers (presuming no trade occurs)? D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba of the Seahawks?
It keeps going on and on. Every club seems to have a standout wide receiver. A great quarterback will be on most playoff teams.
The Packers will need to defeat those potent passing assaults in order to win their first Super Bowl since 2010. Can Stokes, who hasn’t intercepted a pass since his first season, maintain his health and get back to his previous level? Is Valentine going to jump to Year 2? Will King perform at a high level?
Or will everything fall apart?
Those responses will begin to take shape in two weeks, when structured team exercises get underway.
Hafley stated, “As of right now, I would say this.” “They’ve done an excellent job with the defense as a whole and the three things we ask for—the attitude, the effort, and the commitment, and that’s what they can manage. There’s been a lot of excitement out there, an incredible effort on the field, and a strong devotion to the team and each other.
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