Addressing CB Should Be Priority on Packers Offseason To-Do List
While the Green Bay Packers do have Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes, the CB room is very thin at the moment, which should make it a priority this offseason.
By Paul_Bretl
Between Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes, the Green Bay Packers are going to have quite the formidable duo at the cornerback position in 2022.
Although Alexander would miss most of the 2021 season, that prior year, he was a second-team All-Pro after allowing a catch rate of just 48.7% on 76 targets and only 9.5 yards per catch. Alexander also logged three interceptions, 14 pass breakups, and a passer rating of 54.3. Right before our eyes, he has developed into one of the game's top cornerbacks.
Meanwhile, when it comes to Stokes, there were some early season ups and downs, as is the case for really any rookie, but as the year progressed, we saw the improvement each and every week. According to PFF, Stokes was often tested as he was targeted 100 times in 2021; however, he would allow 51 receptions at 11.9 yards per catch. He would also force nine pass breakups, come away with an interception, and had a passer rating when targeted of 79.1.
So in an offseason that is likely to be filled with difficult financial decisions as the Green Bay Packers try to work their way under the salary cap, and with that, some uncertainty surrounding what this roster might look like, cornerback may not be on everyone's radar because of Alexander and Stokes--but it should be.
Building depth at the edge rusher position should be near the top of Brian Gutekunst's to-do list, not to mention that the receiver, interior defensive line, and linebacker positions are all incredibly thin right now. However, so is cornerback.
Currently under contract for the 2022 season, other than Alexander and Stokes, are Shemar Jean-Charles, Kabion Ento, and Kiondre Thomas. In total, the trio has 38 career defensive snaps, all of which belong to Jean-Charles.
Of course, with only five cornerbacks under contract at the moment, the Packers are going to add players, but it's not just the back end of the roster that they need to fill out for training camp; they need high-end talent as well. Cornerback is a premier position in football where there is no such thing as too much quality depth, and we all saw a season ago how important that depth can be.
Perhaps Green Bay is working to re-sign Rasul Douglas, who is a free agent. Currently, Spotrac is projecting that he lands a four-year deal that pays him $9.2 million per year--although it remains to be seen how much spending power Green Bay will have in free agency.
The Packers should also consider re-signing Chandon Sullivan. Sure he's taken his lumps, but the good certainly outweighs the bad, he provides experience at a key position, and he shouldn't break the bank either.
Green Bay could certainly look to explore free agents from other teams, but again, how much money will they have to spend? Or they could turn to the draft. Some early-round names to keep your eyes on from Kyle Crabbs of The Draft Network include Andrew Booth, Trent McDuffie, Roger McCreary, and Kyler Gordon, among others.
Regardless of how the Packers go about adding to this room, you get the idea. It's a thin position because there are only five players under contract, but also because there isn't any reliable depth beyond Alexander and Stokes.
So when it comes to figuring out which items Gutey needs to tackle on his offseason to-do list, make sure you have cornerback near the top--it's just too important of a position to forget about.
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__________________________
Born and raised in Green Bay, WI and I still call it home. After my family, watching the Packers, sharing my opinions on the team through my writing and interacting with other fans is my greatest passion. You can find me on Twitter at @Paul_Bretl.
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Comments (31)
splitpea1
February 28, 2022 at 11:19 am
Wow, Douglas at $9.2 million per year? I love him, but maybe not at that price. Sullivan, meh....
I'm not sure if we're going to be spending a real high pick here, but maybe we can find a third or fourth-round gem. As far as the defensive backfield goes, I think safety should be a higher priority; no quality depth here, either.
Rhambo53
February 28, 2022 at 05:13 pm
No way Douglas is a $9 million a year CB. He went from the practice squad to a half season starter. That's a small sample size to pay that kind of money when the league might figure him out next season. He got away with a lot of contact last season and you know the opponents are going to be chewing on the refs to call it closer with him.
BirdDogUni
February 28, 2022 at 07:14 pm
He's getting paid. I hope it is by the Packers. We need CBs. Win/Win
packer132
February 28, 2022 at 11:45 am
Douglas said he would come back to the Packers for just a little more after the season ended. After his agent had a near heart attack, you know that teams will pay up to get him. As good as he was in 2021, you can't pay him $8 or $9 million a season. There are many holes to fill, and cap is in a similar spot as last year. Packers need to draft: DL, Edge, LB, S, CB, WR, OT, TE. I hope there will be a few free agents GB can re-sign in the next few weeks, especially Campbell.
ImaPayne2
February 28, 2022 at 01:06 pm
Good corners are at a premium and your not finding one in the third or fourth round. Heck even the late first round pick's are a drop off from those in the top ten. Your comparing a shut down, dont even through towards the guy to guys like Stokes who seem lost at times. Both first round picks, both totally different skill sets.
I'd pay the money for douglas but so will a lot of other teams with deep pockets. If he goes we will miss his presence, thats for sure.
YaDom, Charles, and Sullivan are way too slow of foot and cant tackle. Those guys costs you playoff losses.
stockholder
February 28, 2022 at 12:28 pm
I agree Paul. With 5 cbs projected in the first rd. now. I stated earlier; that I wouldn't Blame Gutey if he did take a CB. It gets him away from Douglass. Not to mention that 5th year option. But; I also believe Gutey should go for two CBs later. Just to put speed and tackling on the Special Teams. The Comp. pick coming. Could give you a CB who can return punts. Maybe- Marcus Jones Houston Alontae Taylor Tenn ?
jannesbjornson
February 28, 2022 at 02:00 pm
Quite a few UDFA s will be competing for the sp teams slots. As long as Burks and Summers are gone, I'm happy.
They need LB depth on the inside and outside. Those guys have to be the backbone of coverage units along with your gunners.
Coldworld
February 28, 2022 at 12:37 pm
Opportunity cost. In reality, where we will pick will have a major influence on what position we end up with in early rounds, but if equal prospects exist, I’m not sure we take a CB till day 3 due to other needs.
LambeauPlain
February 28, 2022 at 01:43 pm
Could the Packers find a quality depth CB in rounds 3-4 where they have 3 picks? Easily. (Gutey could find a replacement for Yiadom in the 7th round or UDFA ranks.)
jannesbjornson
February 28, 2022 at 01:50 pm
Yiadom was cut.
ImaPayne2
February 28, 2022 at 01:12 pm
IMO Stokes is un impressive as a corner. Coverage skills seem to be lacking and he doenst like tackling either. I would move him to Safety because he has the speed to close and keep receivers from running past him, sometimes. He just is not a corner.
If the team is going for a corner it has to be first round. Hell if your letting 9 mil in douglas walk give a 4th rounder and your first and move up and get a dam fine corner in the high end of the first. No more fuckin developmental cheap asses like Sullivan, Jamar Charles, YaDOM.
This secondary again for the 5th year in a row coldnt get off the field in 3. They let the Niners move down field and kick our ass field goal. Total bull shit to hear, oh we can get a corner in the late rounds.
jannesbjornson
February 28, 2022 at 01:52 pm
Be an American, boycott Vodka...
Rhambo53
February 28, 2022 at 05:16 pm
I'm not sure Stokes wants to tackle like a safety has to. His biggest flaw is locating the ball. He was in a good position several times last year for picks but apparently couldn't located the ball.
jannesbjornson
February 28, 2022 at 08:25 pm
All-Rookie Team.
Oppy
February 28, 2022 at 06:20 pm
IMO this is a poor take on a young player who showed legitimate promise while being pressed into #1 CB duties unexpectedly for the entire season.
Coldworld
March 01, 2022 at 10:55 am
Poor is a very kind word for it.
dobber
February 28, 2022 at 07:16 pm
Just how far up do you think the Packers can move by offering a 4th plus their first? Certainly not the "high end of the first".
Coldworld
March 01, 2022 at 10:57 am
About 2 spots in the first for a 4th, but ours is so late that that would be a good haul.
Leatherhead
February 28, 2022 at 05:08 pm
My take is that they'll sign Douglas and Sullivan, neither of whom will cost much. Douglas' career was going nowhere and he had a resurrection in Green Bay. He'd like to stay, he's said so, and he's said it's not going to take a lot of money, just a little more than he made last year.
In my opinion, the Packers could really use a TE who can block AND be part of the passing game. There are 5 legit Top 100 TEs in this draft, and we should get one. The guy I'd really like is a trade for Hockenson, who I think is better than any of the guys in the draft, and it would be fun to steal him from the Lions.
We could also take a WR on the second day. We've had so much success with that over the years......Jennings, Jones, Jordy, Cobb, Adams....that it wouldn't surprise me a bit. I think we have two starting receivers....Adams and Lazard. We'll lose MVS, so we could definitely be in the market for a #3 WR in the Gutekunst mold: Tall, fast, big bodied.
Defensively, I think that a premium pick is more likely to be in the front seven than the secondary. Particularly, if you could get a DT who would make Lowry and Lancaster the #3 and #4 guys that makes that line a lot stronger. And since Gutekunst really likes edge pressure......Smith, Smith, and Gary.......then I think he's probably going for an edge guy early two.
So that's four positions in the Top 100 that I hope the Packers address.
Thegreatreynoldo
March 01, 2022 at 05:00 am
I don't know why I am replying. I don't know what to do with TEs in general.
The hit rate is so low on TEs, and it does not go down that much into day 2 and day 3 guys.
I am much inclined to think GB should draft a blocking TE only. OTOH, they sometimes hit free agency and not for bundles of money.
Trying to draft a high-end TE who can block and have more than good hands as a receiver seems so hard. Better to buy one in FA? The really good ones never seem to change teams.
IDK.
Coldworld
March 01, 2022 at 11:05 am
There are very few true blocking TEs in college football who can catch and move as a true offensive weapon. That is one of the reasons why true all round TEs have become both hard to find and a position where guys bounce around a lot while they learn to play the nfl game.
I could see the team picking up SFAs they think can be rounded (which is where Tonyan came from) or having more faith in the likes of Davis (who was primarily a blocker in college despite his athleticism because that’s what the team needed). I do think that they will find a big blocking candidate for the 90 as well.
jannesbjornson
March 01, 2022 at 12:30 pm
They have to look at teams that run Pro style offenses like Iowa, the Badgers,,,,BigTen teams.
mrtundra
February 28, 2022 at 04:34 pm
Isn't Kevin King under contract yet? He played well, and better than Sullivan, last season. I'd like Rasul Douglas to be re-signed, as well. The guy is a player. Stokes has played well, IMO.
Coldworld
March 01, 2022 at 10:59 am
King is a FA. His contract automatically voided. We are still paying him for void years though.
jannesbjornson
March 01, 2022 at 12:31 pm
King was a mistake signing last season, move on.
PhantomII
February 28, 2022 at 07:40 pm
We have:
1- pretty good (S): Amos
0- do it all TE's I want one like Anderson (Ravens)
0 -#1 WR's
0- #2 WR's
1- DL: Clark
1- ILB: Barnes
jannesbjornson
March 01, 2022 at 12:32 pm
I pretty sure you are referring to Andrews.
PhantomII
March 01, 2022 at 09:02 pm
Bingo, Lol...
Leatherhead
March 01, 2022 at 01:36 pm
Yeah, it kind of makes you wonder how we win all this game with such a poor roster and incompetent front office moves.
PhantomII
March 01, 2022 at 09:00 pm
My reply is more to the article CB being of need. All those are needed with less quality manning the position than we already have at CB now.
PhantomII
March 02, 2022 at 05:56 am
The defense showed up in the playoffs...the offense didn't do much. We needed a #2 WR and got Cobb...Needed a good pass catching TE....We win 3-4 games a year that could have gone either way..Luck on our side which skews the 13-3 a bit for me. We're missing a few key spots and if our ALL Pro ILB walks it will be tougher. The OL was a patch work which got it done in regular season but our Offense was never in sync. The opening drive in the playoffs is the best I saw them work, then nothing.