The Green Bay Packers are poised to select a cornerback in the first round of the upcoming NFL Draft, addressing a glaring need in their defense. Several factors point towards this decision, including the team’s recent struggles on the defensive side of the ball, the availability of quality cornerback prospects in this year’s draft, and the Packers’ history of drafting defensive backs in the first round under General Manager Brian Gutekunst.
The Packers have underperformed defensively in recent seasons, ranking 27th overall in defensive DVOA last year. Opposing quarterbacks enjoyed a 94.7 rating against Joe Barry’s defense, leading to his dismissal following the Packers’ divisional playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers. New defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley prefers press-man coverage, which requires strong cornerbacks capable of tight man-to-man coverage.
Gutekunst has shown a willingness to invest in defensive backs in the first round, having selected Jaire Alexander, Darnell Savage, and Eric Stokes in the first round since taking over as GM in 2018. Gutekunst and his front office place a high value on athleticism, as evidenced by their focus on Relative Athletic Score (RAS) in player evaluations.
This year’s draft offers several top cornerback prospects who fit the Packers’ athletic profile, including Nate Wiggins and Cooper DeJean. Wiggins, a Clemson product, blazed a 4.28-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine and clocked a top speed of 22.6 mph during a game against North Carolina, making him one of the fastest players in the NFL last season. DeJean, a unanimous All-American from Iowa, ran a 4.43-second 40-yard dash at his pro day and posted an impressive 10-4 broad jump, which would have given him a RAS of 9.89 had it been recorded at the Combine.
While the Packers have been linked to offensive tackles in mock drafts, it’s likely that the top five tackles will be off the board by the time they pick at No. 25. They may consider addressing the tackle position in the second round, with prospects such as Jordan Morgan, Patrick Paul, and Kingsley Suamataia potentially available. With several quality cornerbacks expected to be available at the end of the first round, the Packers are well-positioned to fill a pressing need and improve their defense.
