Addressing CB Should Be Priority on Packers Offseason To-Do List

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.