The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2022 NFL Draft.
The Green Bay Packers need to add quality depth to the cornerback and safety positions while looking for players that could provide an immediate impact on special teams.
A player that could help Brian Gutekunst accomplish all three of those tasks is Nick Grant. The Virginia defensive back could be a day three target for the Packers and is No. 54 in the Unpacking Future Packers countdown.
Grant was a three-star recruit and played primarily on special teams before becoming a starter for Virginia in 2019. That season, Grant recorded 51 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, 10 pass deflections, and two interceptions, including a pick-six.
In 2020, Grant recorded five pass deflections and two interceptions. This past season, Grant recorded 50 tackles, three tackles for loss, and nine pass deflections.
“UVA’s defense, including its secondary, had a second straight disappointing year,” Mike Barber, the ACC beat writer for the Richmond Times-Dispatch, said. “Grant was good, but not great. Athletic and rangy, he was disruptive at times on the blitz and did a nice job in pass defense downfield. He played a lot more safety this season than corner, which was a bit of a surprise.”
Grant is one of the most versatile defensive backs in the 2022 draft. He can line up on the boundary. He can play in the slot and he can play safety.
“This season, Grant played both corner and safety for UVA,” Barber said. “He has the size and physicality to be a safety, and the speed and athleticism to play cornerback. If Grant can improve his tackling, he would project – to me – as an NFL safety. He can also play corner in the slot or, certainly, as a nickel back.”
Grant is a tall, long defensive back. He does a good job of using his length to make plays on the ball and to disrupt receivers at the catch point. Grant was a high school wide receiver and has natural hands. He had solid ball production during his three years as a starter, recording four interceptions and 24 pass deflections.
“Grant has NFL size and athleticism,” Barber said. “He’s long and rangy and, as a former high school wide receiver, has good ball skills.”
Grant has a loose lower half to turn and run with wide receivers. As a safety, he has good range and quickness to scream across the field.
As a run defender, Grant has the “want to” he just needs to be more consistent with getting guys to the ground.
“Grant has a physical mindset and a good football IQ, so he knows where to be,” Barber said. “He’s had issues during his college career slipping off tackles. It’s shown up more in the passing game, with some quick, short throws going for big gains when he couldn’t get a receiver on the ground. I thought he proved himself more in this area, though, at safety this season.”
Grant played primarily on special teams during his first two years on campus. With his quickness and experience playing on special teams, Grant could provide an immediate impact as a rookie in that phase.
“UVA had pretty good talent and depth in the defensive backfield when he arrived in Charlottesville,” Barber said. “After redshirting, he played mostly on special teams for his first two years and continued to excel on those units even after becoming a starter.”
Fit with the Packers
Death, Taxes, and the Packers having a terrible special teams unit. The Packers need to do everything in their power to improve on special teams. They seem to be committed to righting the ship with their hiring of Rich Bisaccia to be the special teams coordinator.
Now, Gutekunst needs to get him some fancy new toys to play with and it starts by drafting players on day three of the draft that have experience playing on special teams.
Grant has a ton of experience playing on special teams and could provide instant impact in that department as a rookie. With his versatility, he’d give the Packers a player that can play anywhere in the secondary.
“He has the size and speed to play in the NFL and the ability to contribute on special teams, to help him make a roster right out of the gate,” Barber said. “Is Grant someone you pencil in as a starter day one? Probably not. But he has a pretty big upside and is the kind of athlete that teams could fall in love with if he has an impressive pro day. There were over 60 defensive backs invited to the NFL Scouting Combine and Grant wasn’t one of them, so it’s fair to say he’s flying under the radar.”