Instant Takeaways: Packers select Kentucky CB Carrington Valentine at pick 232
By Paul Bretl
With their first of four seventh round picks, the Green Bay Packers used No. 232 on Kentucky cornerback Carrington Valentine, who took a virtual visit as part of the pre-draft process. Here are my instant takeaways from the pick and what you need to know.
– Cornerback isn’t a pressing need, but this is a premier position where you never have too much depth. This is also a part of the draft where teams are taking swings on traits more so than positional need. Matt LaFleur said earlier this offseason that Jaire Alexander and Rasul Douglas will be on the boundary with Keisean Nixon in the slot. They’ll also have to work Eric Stokes back in once he’s healthy.
– Valentine is still just 21 years old. He measured in at 5’11” and weighed 193 pounds, while posting a Relative Athletic Score of 9.30, which included a 4.44 second 40-yard dash. The bulk of his playing time came in 2021 and 2022, where he lined up primarily on the boundary and totaled just under 1,300 snaps.
– For what it’s worth, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr is very high on Valentine, saying that he thinks he will be a really good cornerback moving forward as a starter.
– For his career, Valentine allowed a completion rate of 60% on 141 targets, 12.3 yards per catch, nine pass breakups, and an interception. He also made 104 out of his 121 tackle attempts. In 2022 specifically, Valentine gave up 36 receptions on 65 targets with one interception and six pass breakups.
– Valentine’s impact right away with the Packers could come on special teams, where he had 341 career snaps at Kentucky, most of which came in the last two seasons and on a variety on units.
– Valentine said on his Zoom call with reporters that he wants to play press man all day. He added that he is a physical corner and is comfortable being on an island with receivers.
– While it’s far from everything, Valentine didn’t grade out all that well as a run defender by PFF’s metrics.
– For more on Valentine’s game and what he can offer the Packers, here is what Lance Zierlein wrote in his pre-draft report:
"“Valentine has the physical traits necessary for the NFL but the instincts and body control to extend his coverage against quality route runners leaves something to be desired. He’s solid at crowding vertical throws and can play press-and-bail, but he has had coverage busts in zone. Also, he bites too easily on double moves. Valentine’s lack of aggression as a run defender could make it tougher for zone teams to give him a chance.“"