The Green Bay Packers have played a little more than half of their 2021 schedule and are off to an 8-2 start despite having to overcome numerous injuries to key personnel.
The Packers 2021 draft class has made contributions to the team’s success with some players contributing more than others. While it is too early to make final judgments on Brian Gutekunst’s draft class, 10 games are enough to get a solid first impression on how they look more than halfway through their first NFL season.
Grades are based on expectations and performance so a seventh round pick can get a higher grade than a first round pick if they have an identical impact thus far.
Here is a look at the contributions of the Packers 2021 draft class so far:
Round 1: CB Eric Stokes
Stokes has played in nine games, starting seven of them. He was thrust into a large role earlier than expected due to injuries to Jaire Alexander and Kevin King.
Stokes has made his share of rookie mistakes, mostly adjusting to the ball while it’s in the air. But overall, Stokes has had a very good start to his NFL career. Most rookie cornerbacks struggle but Stokes is already playing like a quality starter.
He has 31 tackles and nine passes broken up. He made his first career interception off Ben Roethlisberger in the Packers win over Pittsburgh.
According to pro-football-reference.com, opposing quarterbacks are completing only 50 percent of their passes when throwing to receivers covered by Stokes. Their quarterback rating is only 75.2.
Stokes still must improve his technique and correct some of his mistakes, but he has the right work ethic, attitude and the physical tools to be a solid starter for a long time and possibly even a Pro Bowl level corner.
Grade: B+
Round 2: C Josh Myers
Myers won the starting center job in training camp and started the first four games of the season before suffering a finger injury that forced him to miss Week 5. He returned one week later only to suffer a knee injury that has kept him out of action since.
Myers has graded out as a better pass protector than run blocker according to Pro Football Focus, but he already ranked near the middle of the 39 graded centers by the site.
While Myers has made his share of rookie mistakes, he is already a solid starter at center. His biggest issue has been picking up stunts and blitzes where the defense floods the A-gap.
The Packers are hopeful Myers will return for the stretch drive although the timetable for his return is not certain.
Myers has shown the potential to be a consistent starter at center in the NFL for the foreseeable future.
Grade: B
Round 3: WR Amari Rodgers
Rodgers primary job has been returning punts as the acquisition of Randall Cobb reduced his potential role in the offense this season.
In 10 games, Rodgers has a total of 59 offensive snaps. He has one rush for 11 yards and three catches for 40 yards.
As a punt returner, Rodgers has struggled. His has not caught the ball cleanly on a consistent basis and every punt feels like an adventure. He has averaged just 6.6-yards per return on 16 runbacks and he has officially fumbled twice.
The Packers need more from Rodgers as a punt returner. He doesn’t need to be dynamic, but he does need to catch the ball cleanly and run north-south rather than trying to run east-west to try to create a big return.
It is likely Rodgers has a bigger role in the offense in 2022. Right now, he is fifth or sixth on the Packers depth chart at receiver which means he won’t see the field too often on offense barring injuries to other players.
Grade: C
Round 4: G Royce Newman
Newman has been the Packers starter at right guard since Week 1. In fact, the Mississippi alum hasn’t missed a snap all season.
Newman has been the weakest link of the Packers regular starters. He grades out higher as a pass blocker than a run blocker, but neither grade is high and Newman is near the bottom of PFF’s rankings among qualified guards.
Newman is tenacious and dedicated to improving himself, but he has a long way to go to become a quality starter in the NFL. If the Packers offensive line was healthy, Newman would probably be on the bench right now.
The encouraging news is that Newman had one of his best games against the Seahawks a week ago.
Grade: C
Round 5: DL T.J. Slaton
Slaton has played in all 10 games for the Packers and been a part of the defensive line rotation. The 6’4”, 330-pound former Florida star has 13 total tackles, one sack and two tackles for loss.
Slaton had a very promising training camp. He has more push in the pass rush than one might expect for a man of his size. He has graded out higher as a pass rusher than as a run stuffer. He continues to learn and has seen more snaps in recent games including playing 69 percent of the defensive snaps against the Chiefs when Kingsley Keke was injured.
Slaton should see a bigger role as he gains experience and may fight for a starting job in 2022.
Grade: C+
Round 5: CB Shemar Jean-Charles
Jean-Charles has played in eight games this season as a reserve cornerback and special teams player. He has four total tackles while playing 23 snaps on defense. He has played 105 snaps on special teams on coverage teams.
Jean-Charles is making a big jump from Appalachian State to the NFL so a limited role on defense was expected in his rookie year. He has good speed and ball instincts but needs to improve his technique if he hopes to compete for consistent playing time on defense.
Grade: C
Round 6: OL Cole Van Lanen
The former Wisconsin Badger was released by the Packers after the preseason and signed to the practice squad. He’s spent the entire season there. Van Lanen is strong and determined but needs to work on his footwork and on blocking on the second level. He is available if injuries strike and should be in training camp again fighting for a roster spot next season.
Grade: Incomplete
Round 6: LB Isaiah McDuffie
McDuffie was injured early in camp but had a big game in the preseason finale in Buffalo that clinched a roster spot for him.
Thus far, the Boston College alum has played in seven of the Packers first 10 games exclusively on special teams. He has yet to be credited with a tackle this season. The Packers will watch his development and hope for more from McDuffie in the future.
Grade: C
Round 7: RB Kylin Hill
Hill was the Packers third running back and primary kick returner before he suffered a knee injury against the Cardinals. He will miss the rest of the season.
Hill carried 10 times for 24 yards with a long run of eight yards. He also caught one pass for five yards.
His biggest role was as a kick returner. The Mississippi State alum averaged a pedestrian 19.9-yards per return with a long of 41 yards.
You can follow Gil Martin on Twitter @GilPackers