Green Bay Packers: Immediate Reactions to Shemar Jean-Charles Selection
By Paul Bretl
With pick 178 in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers select Shemar Jean Charles, cornerback from Appalachian State. Here are a few immediate reactions to the selection:
– It makes total sense that the Green Bay Packers double-dipped at the cornerback position. In addition to infusing the position group with added talent in 2021, prior to this pick, Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes were the only players that we knew would be on the team beyond this season.
– Jean-Charles is a two-year starter and was targeted 119 times during that span, allowing a completion rate of just 45.3 percent and 11.8 yards per catch. He also came away with two interceptions and 25 pass breakups.
– His 2020 season was particularly impressive, as Jean-Charles allowed a completion rate of 33 percent and had a whopping 17 pass breakups.
– At Appalachian State, he was primarily a boundary corner but could challenge Chandon Sullivan for snaps at the nickel position and has the potential to develop into an NFL starter there.
– Jean-Charles is someone who will come in and compete right away on special teams. That unit in Green Bay is in need of a serious upgrade, and he will help provide that.
– This is another selection from Brian Gutekunst that bucks his elite Relative Athletic Score trend. In the first three drafts of his, 22 of his 25 picks scored above an 8.0 on that scale. Jean-Charles is one of a few this year who were below that threshold.
– Jean-Charles is also a bit undersized compared to what the Packers have historically targeted at the cornerback position, measuring in at just over 5’10.”
– The Green Bay Packers had reportedly met with Jean-Charles as part of the pre-draft process, so he is someone that they’ve had their eyes on for a while now.
– By PFF’s grading system ($$), Jean-Charles coverage grade was the fourth-best among qualified CBs, and his 17 pass breakups were the most.
– I’m really a big fan of this selection. Jean-Charles has terrific ball skills, the upside to grow into a starting role at an important position, and can contribute immediately on special teams.
– To wrap up, here is a closer look at Jean-Charles game from Jordan Reid of The Draft Network:
"“Prior to starting over the final two seasons of his career at Appalachian State, Shemar Jean-Charles mostly served as a special teams ace. Following that point, he quickly transitioned into being one of the better players on the roster. Possessing a rocked-up top half, he’s an impressively put together corner prospect.Playing mostly on the outside, he was able to collect 26 passes defensed and two interceptions over the past two seasons combined. He’s a physical corner out on the perimeter, but his lack of length could lead to him playing a nickel role on the next level. There is some hip tightness with Jean-Charles, which could make his transition inside result in some growing pains early on. But as he continues to become more comfortable, he’s a developmental player that could prove to be solid depth at the position.”"