Green Bay Packers: 2018 Ultimate Depth Chart 1.1

Cornerbacks (11)

After two years of struggle on the perimeter, Brian Gutekunst decided to overhaul the cornerback position with his top two draft picks and bringing back a couple of familiar faces. Suddenly, what was arguably the shallowest position on the team might now be it’s deepest. With nine of the eleven corners on the roster having played a game for the Packers already (the other two are the rookies), there is now plenty of experience. That experience should be a huge benefit for the 2018 team.

After an injury-plagued but productive rookie season, King is looking to establish himself as a bona fide top corner in the NFL. He has the skillset to do it, but needs to continue to improve.

Pros

• Elite length and athleticism
• Good ball skills.
• Strong tackler, not afraid to make a big hit.

Cons

• Coming off a serious shoulder injury.
• Can get handsy when in press coverage.

Scale (If 1 is the player has absolutely no chance of making the final 53-man roster and 10 is the player is a surefire lock, where does this player rank?)-10

King could be an All-Pro corner eventually. There’s no way he’s getting cut.

The future Packer Hall of Famer makes his return to Titletown after three years away in Cleveland and Arizona. He was stellar for the Cardinals last season and can bring his experience and knowledge to an extremely young cornerback room.

Pros

• Good ball skills
• Versatility in coverage, can play outside and in the slot.
• Played with Mike Pettine in the past, knows his tendencies.

Cons

• 35-years-old, could fall of a cliff quickly.
• Speed isn’t what it once was and he can rely on it too much.

Scale-10

A veteran with experience with Mike Pettine, Williams should step into an immediate starter role and be a valuable mentor to Jaire Alexander and Kevin King.

The 18th overall pick, Alexander bucks the Packers size trends for the position and looks to emerge as an immediate starter. He’ll get his first shot in the slot.

Pros

• Explosive athlete who can run down any mistake
• Great ball skills, can jump any route.
• A natural leader who teammates gravitate to.

Cons

• On the small side, could limit him to the slot.
• Battled injuries in 2017

Scale-10

Brian Gutekunst’s first ever draft pick is here for the long haul.

One of the most productive corners in college football last year, Jackson was a steal at pick 45. He will most likely see the field in dime early on, but could supplant Tramon Williams‘ spot as the year goes on.

Pros

• Elite ball skills, 8 Interceptions in 2017.
• Physical corner who isn’t afraid to tackle.
• Experience in both man and zone coverage.

Cons

• Speed is average, might struggle if he can’t get his hands on the receiver.
• Extremely grabby in college. Will get called int he NFL.
• 1-year starter.

Scale-10

Jackson is a playmaker and a future starter. He’s not going anywhere.

A former second round pick who is coming off an achilles injury, Rollins is in a make it or break it year. He could end up at safety but for now he’ll get every chance to make it as a corner.

Pros

• Solid ball skills.
• Willing tackler who gets downhill.
• High character player who has drawn raves from coaches and teammates.

Cons

• Coming off achilles injury that may sap his speed.
• Average speed before the injury.
• Only four years as a cornerback after playing college basketball.

Scale-6

Rollins may be on the chopping block if he doesn’t show that he’s recovered in Training Camp.

Arguably the best of the undrafted free agents last year, Pipkins has the mentality and desire to be a starting corner if he continues to improve. He’s a nice depth piece to have.

Pros

• Bulldog mentality. Believes he can make every play.
• Solid in coverage.
• Special teams experience

Cons

• Overaggressive, can be beaten on double moves.
• Goes for the big hit at times and misses the tackle.

Scale -7

Pipkins is blocked on defense right now by the rookies but he should be a special teams stalwart.

Re-signed after a solid 2017, House brings plenty of experience and physicality to the room. But now he’s in a fight for a roster spot with younger, faster players.

Pros

• Experienced corner who knows the nuances of the position.
• Physicality in coverage is above average.
• Plays up to the competition, thrives against better receivers.

Cons

• Lack of speed hurts.
• Man only corner, struggles at times in zone.
• Plays up to the competition, but can play down as well.

Scale-5

House could be a good mentor for the locker room, but his lack of special teams value could put his roster spot in jeopardy.

One of the only corners who can compete with Alexander when it comes to speed, Hawkins struggled when asked to play significant snaps on defense last year. He’ll need to make his mark on special teams in 2018.

Pros

• Blazing speed isn’t a strong enough description for how fast he is.
• Made plays in preseason last two seasons.
• Special teams experience invaluable.

Cons

• Great in preseason, struggled in regular season last year.
• Lacks polish in coverage.
• Average tackler.

Scale-6

It may be between Hawkins, House, and Pipkins for two spots on the roster, and the team may decide to go with the veteran and the more aggressive second year player instead of Hawkins.

A veteran special teams stalwart, Goodson hasn’t been on the field much for the past two years. With good speed and a team-first mentality, Goodson has another chance to make the team, but he’ll need to overcome a lot of talent ahead of him.

Pros

• Very good athlete who excels in punt coverage.
• Performed solidly in limited action as a corner.
• Team-first attitude and respected in the locker room.

Cons

• Coming off two injury filled seasons.
• Average cover skills, made up for it with speed in the past.
• Already 28, team is getting younger.

Scale-4

Goodson has been an underrated member of the team for years, especially as a gunner. But that time is likely done.

A converted wide receiver who transitioned to corner two years ago, Waters has drawn plenty of praise from Joe Whitt Jr. and the coaching staff. But he’s coming off a shoulder injury that ended his season in Training Camp. He needs a big camp to make the team.

Pros

• Natural athleticism.
• Former receiver, understands the mindset of the opposition.
• Hard worker, was willing to switch positions as a rookie.

Cons

• Hasn’t seen much playing time as a corner in his career.
• Missed all of last season with a shoulder injury.

Scale-3

Waters has plenty of natural talent to make it as a corner, but it won’t be on the Packers 53-man roster this year. He could make the practice squad again.

A solid undrafted find last year, Brown is a physical corner who uses his aggressiveness to his advantage. But he’s blocked from any serious playing time on the current iteration of the Packers.

Pros

• Physical, aggressive corner who doesn’t back down from anyone.
• Solid ball skills who makes the play when he gets his hands on the ball.
• Willing worker who plays special teams and scout team.

Cons

• Overaggressive at times who doesn’t the speed to make up for his mistakes.
• Old for a second year player (27)
• Similar to Pipkins, but not as explosive of an athlete.

Scale-2

Brown is a decent prospect but is caught in a numbers game. He may be a practice squad player again, but it’s more likely he finds a new team.

*Written by Mike Wendlandt