The past year has not been an easy one for Packers rookie cornerback Kalen King. Before the start of the 2023 season, the former Penn State star was viewed as one of the top cornerbacks in the country. Most scouts projected him as a potential first-round draft pick. His future seemed bright.

But King struggled through the 2023 season. His stock fell from a potential first round pick to being one of the final selections in the 2024 NFL Draft. Packers GM Brian Gutekunst selected King in the seventh round with the 255^th overall pick.

King admitted this was not where he expected to go in the draft. “The experience I got the past three days, it was nothing but a humbling experience for me,” King said shortly after being selected by the Packers. “Honestly, I feel like this whole experience definitely was one of the toughest things I have had to endure in my life,” King said. “I felt like today was a blessing and a curse. Even though I didn’t get drafted where I wanted to, I felt like God made the right choice for me. I feel like I’m in a place where I’m supposed to be and I’m happy that I got my name called.”

He was determined to turn the experience into motivation going forward. “I’m going to use it as fuel to the fire. There’s been a lot of doubters in my ear. There’s been a lot of doubters [about] me the last couple months. I know what I’m capable of and I’m ready to show the world.”

Thus far, in training camp, King has gotten off to a strong start. Last Sunday in practice, King intercepted starting quarterback Jordan Love and returned it for a touchdown. The play gave him more confidence.

“I’m really just during that call getting to my landmark and reading Jordan,” King said. “Wherever his eyes go, that’s where I flow to. I felt quick game, and soon as I’d see him take his hand off the ball, I just broke right there to make the play.”

He has seen action both on the perimeter and as a slot corner, a position he did not play extensively in college. He is fighting to be the backup slot corner behind Keisean Nixon.

He certainly has impressed some of his teammates and coaches. Nixon has noticed what King is capable of doing.

“Little KK, he’s going to be all right,” Nixon said. “He’s a young player. He just needs confidence. I think when he got his run against Love the other day, that boosted his confidence up, got a little swagger to him. He’ll be all right. It’s what comes with this league. It’s going to humble you early, and you just have to learn how to fight through it.”

Fellow rookie Evan Williams also had praise for King. “He had a day today, right?” Williams after a recent practice. “He had a pick and some PBUs. I see him take strides each day.”

King himself is making the adjustment to life in the NFL. “I feel like there’s been ups, there’s been downs but, at the end of the day, this is my job,” King said. “I’m glad to be in this position. There’s been ups and downs – that’s just what comes with camp – but I’m just trying to get better every day and take it step by step.”

After the draft, Penn State assistant coach Terry Smith thought King could surprise some people with Green Bay. “Honestly, I think they may have gotten the biggest steal of the draft,” Smith told reporters.

King is off to a good start, but he still has a lot to prove. He fully realizes how important training camp and the preseason will be for his future. If he plays well, he can overcome his initial status as a seventh-round draft pick and give the Packers outstanding value as he begins his NFL career.