Green Bay Packers 2022 Summer Preview: Cornerbacks
The Green Bay Packers have a major strength and glaring weakness regarding their cornerback position. Although it feels like an oxymoron, both statements are true.
The Packers not only boast one of the best cornerback duos in the entire NFL, but they also have the best trio of top corners. With Jaire Alexander fully recovered from injury, Eric Stokes getting better in Year 2 and Rasul Douglas returning after a breakout season, the Packers’ top three corners figure to lead the way for a passing defense that should be terrific.
However, the questions loom large behind their top three and plenty of answers are needed before the season begins. Let’s preview how Green Bay looks with training camp right around the corner.
Here is a position-by-position preview of the Green Bay Packers continuing with their cornerback situation heading into the 2022 NFL season.
Currently on the Roster: Jaire Alexander, Rasul Douglas, Kabian Ento, Rico Gafford, Shemar Jean-Charles, Keisean Nixon, Eric Stokes, Raleigh Texada, Kiondre Thomas
There are a lot of unknown names on the roster, especially outside the Big Three. Kabian Ento has been around Green Bay for a couple of years now, but has rarely played. Shemar Jean-Charles has gotten on the field a little but more, but not by much. Rico Gafford just switched sides of the ball from wide receiver and will be trying his hand at a new position. Keisean Nixon is a special teamer, not necessarily a defensive guy. And Raleigh Texada and Kiondre Thomas are relative unknowns.
That leaves a lot of work for the coaching staff when training camp kicks off in a few days. Due to the pass-heavy nature of offenses, Green Bay must find at least a fourth cornerback who can be serviceable. That seems like a tall task.
Projected Depth Chart: Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes, Rasul Douglas, Shemar Jean-Charles, Keisean Nixon
Alexander, Stokes, and Douglas are locked into the depth chart–the only question is who will slide into the slot. The Packers will test out some players on the inside and likely go with a matchup-dependent strategy. Jean-Charles squeaks by as the fourth corner, but that will be a heavily-contested battle. As for Nixon, he has experience with new special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia which gives him the nod.
Next. 8 Packers with a lot on the line in 2022. dark
Big Picture:
The Packers have all the tools in their top guys to shut down the opposing team’s best receivers. However, they will be pushed to their limits when they come up against a deep and talented roster. With Alexander, Douglas, and Stokes under contract for the foreseeable future, the only question they have to answer is a depth one. It’s fair to say there are worst positions to be in.