8 Big Things to Watch for on Defense During Packers Training Camp
By Paul Bretl
Quay Walker’s impact on the Packers’ defense
We won’t truly see Quay Walker’s impact until the regular season begins to unfold, but we should catch some glimpses of it during training camp.
Like De’Vondre Campbell, Walker brings a skill-set that allows him to be on the field and, most importantly, effective against both the run and the pass. Walker was an incredibly reliable tackler at Georgia, and for his career, he allowed only 7.0 yards per catch in coverage.
This ability will allow the Packers to stay in their base nickel defense more often, which in turn, will make it more difficult for opposing offenses because the personnel won’t provide any clues into what this defense is going to do. This wasn’t the case in 2021, however. When Krys Barnes was on the field, the Packers were more than likely planning to play the run. And when it was Henry Black next to Campbell, Green Bay was likely playing the pass.
Even before discussing Walker’s play, his presence alone gives the Green Bay Packers a leg up compared to where they were a season ago.
Which cornerback(s) take the slot snaps?
The Green Bay Packers have arguably the best cornerback trio in football, but where Jaire Alexander, Rasul Douglas, and Eric Stokes will line up from down to down remains a bit of an unknown.
The common thought is that when the three are on the field, it will be Alexander in the slot–which will certainly happen. However, Alexander isn’t going to only be a slot cornerback moving forward. Rather, his role will vary week to week as he follows around the opponent’s top wideout. If that receiver spends most of his time in the slot, then Alexander likely will as well. But if he’s more of a boundary pass-catcher, then that is where Jaire will be that week.
So in those instances when Alexander is on the boundary, who will take the snaps inside? In terms of slot experience on this roster, there is very little. Unlike in years past, where Chandon Sullivan has been the primary slot corner, my guess is that this year it will be a by-committee approach, with it all depending on the matchup from week to week or even series to series.
If the slot receiver is a big-bodied pass-catcher, such as tight end George Kittle, for example, that could be a time we see Douglas lined up inside. On the flip side, if there is a speedy pass-catcher lined up, that could be when Stokes takes those slot snaps. I also won’t be surprised to see Green Bay lean on Keisean Nixon or Shemar Jean-Charles as well.
This, of course, is all just — educated — guesswork on my part, and we will get a better idea of what the Packers’ plans are as training camp unfolds. As DB Coach Jerry Gray said earlier this offseason, each cornerback will be cross-trained to play both inside and out, so what I would anticipate is seeing several different players in that role this summer.