Packers rookie watch: Big opportunity for Eric Stokes in Week 4

The early returns for the Green Bay Packers’ 2021 rookie class are extremely positive, as there are already a number of contributors on both sides of the ball.

In the quest for a Lombardi Trophy before the salary cap messes everything up in 2022, Green Bay has found themselves turning to rookies at a number of key positions. Let’s check in on how each has fared so far and what their role looks like in Week 4.

Beginning with Eric Stokes, Green Bay’s first-round pick has a huge opportunity lying directly in front of him. He only played eight snaps in Week 1, but that’s been climbing every game–44 in Week 2 and then 70 in Week 3 with Kevin King out with an illness. King hasn’t practiced this week due to a concussion so it looks like it could be all Stokes again.

He’s been far from perfect, but has shown some promising skills. His confidence and closing speed are impressive. He’s also not afraid to mix it up and the line of scrimmage and force wide receivers to earn their routes. He’s only given up three receptions on 10 targets this season, including three pass breakups.

The Green Bay Packers are expecting big accomplishments from their 2021 rookie class, continuing with Eric Stokes’ role in Week 4.

Second-round pick Josh Myers has been even better. He’s started all three games and has taken over without any major issues. His PFF grade of 66.3 ranks 10th out of 33 centers. Of course, he’s no Corey Linsley but he has a bright future ahead of him. He’s been equally impressive in both the running and passing games and is extremely smart when calling out coverages. It’s only going to get better from here.

Amari Rodgers, the Packers’ third-round selection, hasn’t quite lived up to his billing to this point. He played 15 offensive snaps in Week 1, but it’s gone downhill from there as he’s only been in on two combined plays over the last two weeks. Part of this is due to his failure to emerge as a legitimate receiving threat and the other part has to do with Randall Cobb’s chemistry with Aaron Rodgers. Amari Rodgers continues to be the punt returner as well, but that hasn’t gone as expected. He’s indecisive on the return, often leaving plenty of yards to be desired.

Fourth-rounder Royce Newman surprisingly joined Myers on the starting line. He’s started all three games at right guard even if the returns have been inconsistent up to this point. His biggest struggles have come in the run game, where he’s earned a PFF grade of 46.5 which ranks 83rd out of 87 players to take a snap at guard this season. With Jon Runyan Jr replacing Lucas Patrick at left guard, Newman’s job is safe for now. However, he must continue to improve before David Bakhtiari returns around Week 7 as the Packers will have some tough decisions to make at that point.

Fifth-round picks TJ Slaton and Shemar Jean-Charles haven’t had as many opportunities as their classmates. Slaton played 16 unimpressive snaps in Week 1 and has seen his chances decrease since then (he only played two snaps in Week 3). Meanwhile, Jean-Charles has been limited to special teams action. There’s still time for each of these guys to earn more playing time throughout the season, but they’re limited for now.

Speaking of special teams, sixth-round selection Isaiah McDuffie has only been on coverage units up to this point. The Packers kept him as an extra inside linebacker for that reason and to help develop his play moving forward.

Seventh-round pick Kylin Hill has been the Packers’ kick returner and has already had a couple of good ones. Good enough, in fact, that the San Francisco 49ers wanted to kick it away from him on their final kickoff on Sunday night. That gave Green Bay the ball at the 25-yard-line with no time ticking off the clock.