Packers sign defensive free agent to fill key need, but the position might surprise you based on how the last few days played out

The Green Bay Packers had a defensive need, so general manager Brian Gutekunst went on the Market to sign a veteran option. After the last few days, you could expect a cornerback would be in the mix, but the executive actually said he's comfortable with that position. The actual addition is nose tackle Cameron Young, a fourth-round pick by the Seattle Seahawks two years ago.

Young played five college seasons at Mississippi State before being the 123rd overall pick in 2023. As a rookie, he appeared in 16 games and even started one, playing 205 snaps on defense and 86 on special teams. However, the interior defensive lineman suffered a serious knee injury last season and played only a game in 2024. Young was waived back in April, right before the draft.

Throughout his first two seasons in the NFL, Young has been an average interior rusher and slightly below average run defender. He generated three pressures as a rookie and had 16 tackles.

Back in 2023, still with the Seahawks' previous coaching staff, Young was considered a promising piece.

"He's a guy that is unselfish, physical, rugged, and plays a position that doesn't get a lot of fanfare," said at the time defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt. "We’ve had guys obviously like Al Woods and [Bryan] Mone that have played that position in the past where they eat a lot of double teams, but they help guys like Bobby [Wagner] and Jordyn [Brooks] make a lot of tackles and be really productive. He can continue to do those things for us."

Position of need

Most of Cameron Young's NFL snaps came at the A-gap as a true nose tackle. He had 110 snaps there, versus 92 at the B-gap. The Packers needed a nose after they lost TJ Slaton in free agency to the Cincinnati Bengals.

During OTAs, the coaching staff even tried to move defensive tackle Colby Wooden to nose, but it's not his natural position, so it makes sense to add a natural fit to the position to fight for a roster spot.

Situation at cornerback

Even after releasing Jaire Alexander on Monday, the Packers seem to be comfortable with their situation at cornerback. Gutekunst talked with the local media on Tuesday at mandatory minicamp, and despite the Packers' attempt to convert Bo Melton from wide receiver to cornerback, the GM thinks the depth is good enough.

"I feel really good. The three guys got combined about 95 starts under their belt, felt really good about that," Gutekunst said, in reference to Keisean Nixon, Nate Hobbs, and Carrington Valentine. "We got some young guys that we're really interested to see compete for those final roster spots. I'm excited about where that group is. The three guys have proven their ability in this league. I like their make-up, their toughness, their ability to play, their versatility."

The Packers had two open roster spots after moving on from Alexander.