Green Bay Packers: Land Much Needed CB Help in Speedy Eric Stokes

Cornerback was considered by most the biggest need that the Green Bay Packers had this offseason, and it appears that Brian Gutekunst and company felt similarly, as they selected Eric Stokes from Georgia with the 29th pick.

Stokes was a two-year starter at Georgia with three years of experience–and was a very steady player at that. In 2019, he allowed a completion rate of just 56.9 percent on 65 targets at 9.6 yards per catch with seven pass breakups. In 2020, his completion rate when targeted was 57.1 percent at only 9.1 yards per catch on 28 targets, along with two pass breakups and four interceptions.

But perhaps the most impressive stat from Stokes’ time at Georgia was that this past season he had five games where he didn’t allow more than 10 receiving yards, according to PFF ($$). That isn’t just very good, but that’s having your opponents absolutely locked down.

Stokes was primarily a boundary corner for the Bulldogs and has the ability to play both man and zone coverages, but as Drae Harris of The Draft Network mentions, he believes Stokes is best suited for zone–and we will see a lot of that under new defensive coordinator Joe Barry.

Stokes also had a fantastic Pro-Day, measuring in at just over 6’0,” weighing 194 pounds and running a blazing 4.25 40-yard dash. His overall Relative Athletic Score was a 9.38 out of 10–the exact kind of elite athlete that Gutey has targeted heavily in all three drafts.

For more on Stokes’ game, here is what else Harris had to say about him in his pre-draft report:

"“From 2019 to 2020, Eric Stokes has certainly improved at being more opportunistic with regards to securing turnovers. He can mirror from a press position, but he can afford to clean up his technique—particularly his eye discipline in man coverage and getting “grabby” at the top of the route.He has shown the ability to play in man or zone from a press and occasional off position, but he does not play to his high-level timed speed with his play. He’s not a dynamic closer at the top of the route and lacks elite short-area, stop-and-start agility. His skill set may be best suited in a predominantly zone situation where he can play with vision and utilize his ball skills to make plays.”"

From Day 1 here in Green Bay, Stokes is going to challenge for those CB2 snaps and should see ample playing time right away. However, while Stokes fills an immediate need, Gutey also checks off two boxes with this selection because if we look ahead to 2022, there was a lot more uncertainty surrounding this cornerback room than what there is right now. Stokes — along with Jaire Alexander — will hopefully provide stability.

A few other notable players who were still available for the Green Bay Packers at pick 29 include Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Trevon Moehrig, Christian Barmore, and Elijah Moore. The Packers next selection — barring a trade — will come at pick 62 in the second round.