Battle Begins at OTAs for the Green Bay Packers Starting Cornerback Job

The Green Bay Packers started OTAs on Monday as the team begins preparations for the 2024 NFL season. This is the first time most of the players on the roster are on the practice field together this offseason. There will be multiple battles for starting positions and roster spots between now and the start of the season. One of those to watch at OTAs is the battle for the Packers starting cornerback position opposite Jaire Alexander.

Battle at OTAs for the Packers Starting Cornerback, Candidate Number One: Eric Stokes

Eric Stokes has suffered through two consecutive seasons curtailed by injuries. He suffered foot and knee injuries in Week 9 of 2022 that ended his season. Last year, he started the year on the PUP list and missed more time due to hamstring injuries. He only played in three games.

Stokes hopes to return to his rookie form. In 2021, he played very well when pressed into service as a starter after injuries to Alexander and Kevin King. Opposing quarterbacks completed just 49.5 percent of their passes when targeting receivers covered by Stokes. Their quarterback rating was just 71.3.

In the last two seasons, Stokes struggled to stay on the field due to the aforementioned injuries. Even before he was hurt, the level of his play fell off dramatically.

As a former first round pick, Stokes has the speed and raw athletic ability to succeed if his injuries haven’t eroded his skills. He will be given every opportunity to win one of the starting corner spots.

Candidate Number Two: Carrington Valentine

The Packers selected Carrington Valentine in the seventh round of last year’s draft, and he started 12 games as a rookie when injuries struck the team’s starting corners. The Kentucky alum had his inconsistent moments like most rookies, but he also showed promise.

Valentine broke up nine passes and recovered a fumble as a rookie. Opposing quarterbacks completed 57.6 percent of their passes when throwing to receivers covered by Valentine and had a quarterback rating of 84.8.

Valentine’s physical style of play should be a good fit in Jeff Hafley’s defense. If he makes a second-year jump, Valentine could win the battle to start at corner opposite Alexander.

Battle at OTAs for the Packers Starting Cornerback, Candidate Number Three: Kalen King

Entering the 2023 season, Penn State cornerback Kalen King was projected to be one of the top cornerbacks in the country and was expected to be selected during the first two days of the NFL Draft. Unfortunately, King struggled in his final year in college and fell all the way to the seventh round of this year’s draft.

The Packers were happy to get him so late in the draft and are hoping he will be able to produce in his rookie season. Whether he’ll be ready to start at any point this season remains to be seen. If he regains his confidence and returns to his 2022 form, that would be a possibility.

The Outlook:

The Packers coaching staff needs at least one of these candidates to step up and become the starter opposite Alexaner. Keisean Nixon is the favorite to start as the slot corner. Veteran Corey Ballentine is also on the roster and did a respectable job when called upon. He will be a dark horse candidate to start and could carve out a role as the nickel or dime back. Robert Rochell, Gemon Green, and Zyon Gilbert are also on the roster.

Since the defensive secondary is often a group that is only as strong as its weakest link, having quality starters is vital to the success of the defense.

Defensive passing game coordinator Derrick Ansley had a good first impression of the group. “We’ve got a lot of talent in that room, got a lot of guys competing,” Ansley said. “This group works like none I’ve been a part of. It’s very consistent work. It’s a healthy competition in the room. Lot of different skill sets, and it’s been a joy to work with those guys so far.”

Now they need to turn that work ethic into a production on the field. That process starts this week at OTAs.