The cornerbacks of the Green Bay Packers won’t be short on challenges during the 2024 season. Of the top 10 receivers in yards per route run last season, nine are on the Packers’ regular season schedule — with CeeDee Lamb of the Dallas Cowboys representing the only exception.
The Packers will face the following receivers in 2024:
1. Tyreek Hill, MIA (3.72 yards per route run)
2. Nico Collins, HOU (3.11)
3. Justin Jefferson, MIN (2.91)
4. Puka Nacua, LAR (2.75)
6. Brandon Aiyuk, SF (2.65)
7. Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET (2.59)
8. Jaylen Waddle, MIA (2.52)
8. A.J. Brown, PHI (2.52)
10. Keenan Allen, CHI (2.36)
The Packers will also face Chicago’s D.J. Moore, who ranked 12th at 2.31, and San Francisco’s Deebo Samuel, who ranked 13th at 2.21. Overall, the Packers have 16 of the top 25 receivers in yards per route run from 2023 (min. 100 targets) on the 2024 schedule.
Four of the top 12 are inside the NFC North — Jefferson, St. Brown, Allen and Moore.
Also, rookies Marvin Harrison Jr. — the No. 4 overall pick — and Rome Odunze — the No. 9 overall pick — are also on the schedule. So are later first-round picks Brian Thomas Jr. and Ricky Pearsall.
There’s little doubt: a schedule deep in receiving talent awaits.
Covering No. 1 receivers effectively typically requires a legit No. 1 corner, and the Packers have one in two-time All-Pro Jaire Alexander. He’s attempting to bounce back from a disappointing 2023 season and re-establish himself as an elite player. All the top receivers on the Packers’ 2024 schedule provide Alexander with the perfect opportunity to do so.
The Packers appear to have two other big question marks in coverage entering training camp: How will Jeff Hafley’s new defensive scheme affect the cornerbacks, and who will start opposite Alexander? The Packers figure to be more aggressive in coverage, potentially playing more press man on the outside. In terms of personnel, Eric Stokes and Carrington Valentine are the top options to start on the perimeter.
Big tests await the Packers in coverage in 2024. Will they be up to the challenge?