The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2025 NFL draft.
It would appear that Jaire Alexander and the Green Bay Packers are headed for a divorce and Eric Stokes is set to hit the open market.
That leaves defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley with Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine as the only cornerbacks on the roster with meaningful snaps under their belts. Throw in Javon Bullard, who will likely man the nickel corner position.
Behind those three there isn’t much to get excited about unless Kalen King makes you feel all warm inside.
Given the lack of depth at the position and the fact that Valentine needs competition, Brian Gutekunst will most assuredly look to add two or three cornerbacks to the mix this offseason.
A potential target during the 2025 NFL Draft is BJ Adams. The University of Central Florida cornerback checks in at No. 71 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.
A Georgia native, Adams recorded nine pass deflections and four tackles for loss during his first three seasons at UCF. This past season Adams missed action at the end of the season due to injury. In nine games, Adams recorded two interceptions, including a pick-six and two pass deflections.
“Adams was likely the second-best cornerback on the Knights’ roster this season, following Mac McWilliams,” Matt Murschel, the UCF and college football writer for the Orlando Sentinel Media Group, said. “Had it not been for a back injury that affected him during the season’s final month, Adams would have posted better overall statistics. He did, however, record his first career interception against Cincinnati and picked up his second on a 63-yard pick-six against Iowa State a week later. This past season, he was part of a secondary that held four teams to under 200 passing yards.”
At 6-3, 186 pounds and arms that go on for days, Adams is a well-put-together cornerback. Adams uses his length to disrupt receivers and passing lanes. He has good straight-line speed to stay connected to wide receivers on vertical routes. He has good foot quickness and change of direction skills. He’s able to pattern match and shows plus instincts.
“At 6-foot-3, Adams has some good length, which has helped him go toe-to-toe with some of the best receivers in the Big 12,” Murschel said. “His aggressiveness up front helped him be disruptive during routes and his speed allowed him to go stride-for-stride with receivers.”
Nobody will confuse Adams for Devon Witherspoon in run support. A team won’t be drafting Adams for his ability in run support. They’ll want him for his length and coverage ability. He has all the tools to develop into a lockdown boundary cornerback. He’s not a liability and has a high batting average as a tackler, it’s just not something that stands out about his game.
“If there is an area for improvement, it would be his run support, where he could be more aggressive,” Murschel said. “He has the speed to close the gap on runners who reach the second level of the defense, but he could demonstrate better intuition in these situations.”
Fit with the Packers
With his length and speed, Adams could be an attractive target for the Packers late on Day 2 or early on Day 3 of the upcoming draft.
“Adams is a work in progress, but he has the tools to be a starter in the NFL,” Murschel said. “He’s worth a pick, especially on Day 2 of the draft.”
Valentine was up and down during his second year in the league and the former seventh-round pick could take another step forward in his progression during year three in the league. However, he didn’t run away with the job.
The Packers need to provide him with competition and Adams has all the tools to develop into a quality boundary cornerback. At worst, he’ll provide much-needed depth for a team thirsty for more talent at the cornerback position.