Green Bay Packers: Cornerbacks Best and Worst Case Scenarios
By Kenny Jilek
Undrafted Rookies
The cornerback position in Green Bay is very top-heavy, and that opens the door for Stanford Samuels III and Will Sunderland to make the team if they show out in training camp. However, it’s doubtful that there will be room on the 53-man roster for both.
Stanford Samuels III
After three years as a starter at Florida State, Samuels decided to forego his senior season and declared for the NFL Draft. He may have been drafted if not for a disappointing combine performance that tanked his draft stock and led to him being considered one of the best-undrafted players.
He had eight interceptions, and sixteen passes defended over three seasons in college. His playstyle is somewhat similar to Jaire Alexander, as he likes to get up in receivers’ faces and press. If the Packers want to put that kind of a player in the slot and let him work, Samuels has a great chance to get some regular-season snaps.
As an undrafted free agent, there’s always the possibility of being cut, but he’s a tough, scrappy corner with plenty of skill, and maybe he’ll make the roster just to press gunners on punt return and open up a good return lane.
Best Case Stats: 55% completion percentage, 4 passes defended, 2 INTs
Worst Case Stats: 73% completion percentage, 2 passes defended, 0 INTs
Will Sunderland
Sunderland spent two years on the bench at Oklahoma before transferring to Troy and having a breakout senior season that caught the eye of NFL scouts. He had four interceptions, and four passes defended, switching from safety to cornerback in his senior year. Because of his time as a safety, he is a more physical corner than most and will shed wide receiver blocks and help in the run game too.
He is probably one of the best run-stopping corners coming into camp, and while he obviously has to show coverage ability, if he can find a niche as a versatile piece who can play anywhere and help in the run and pass game, that could be his path to the roster.
Best Case Stats: 64% completion percentage, 3 passes defended, 1 INT
Worst Case Stats: 76% completion percentage, 1 pass defended, 0 INTs
Next. Josh Jackson Making Noise Early on in Camp. dark
Who do you think has the best chance to make the roster of all the young corners, and who do you think will take the most reps in the slot? Let us know in the comments below or @DairylandXpress on Twitter. The best and worst-case scenarios series will end with a final article on special teams guys. Previous articles in this series are below if you missed them.