Packers 2023 Draft Review: CB Carrington Valentine
By Paul Bretl
I am on to the seventh round in my Packers draft review, where Green Bay had four selections. The first of those four picks were used to select Kentucky cornerback Carrington Valentine.
In this series, I have been going through the Packers’ 2023 draft selections, looking at each player’s measurables, diving into their key college stats, along with their fit in Green Bay. I also have a draft day quote from Valentine, as well as a pre-draft scouting report to provide further analysis.
If you’ve missed any of the previous reviews, you can find them below.
Carrington Valentine, CB, Kentucky
Measurements
5’11” | 193 | RAS: 9.29
As you’d expect from the Packers and when addressing the cornerback position, Valentine tested very well at the NFL Combine. Along with posting an overall Relative Athletic Score of 9.29, Valentine ran a 4.44 second 40-yard dash, and had elite testing numbers in the vertical and broad jumps. His size is good but he plays bigger than what he’s listed, in large part due to his length, with nearly 33-inch arms. Valentine is also just 21 years old.
Stats to know
Valentine was on the field for 1,526 career defensive snaps at Kentucky, with over 1,400 of them coming in the last two seasons. He was a boundary cornerback, who for his career, allowed a completion rate of 60% on 141 targets at 12.3 yards per catch with an interception and nine pass breakups, according to PFF. In 2022 specifically, Valentine was thrown at 65 times but allowed a completion rate of only 55% with one interception and six pass breakups. For what it’s worth, by PFF’s grading system, Valentine was a so-so run defender, and made 106 of his total 123 tackle attempts. He also was on the field for 341 special teams snaps, with 159 in 2022 alone.
Fit with Packers
After being selected by Green Bay, on a Zoom call with reporters, Valentine told us that he is very comfortable being out on an island with receivers, and that shows up on his tape. He is at his best when playing press man, but as we all know, that isn’t what Joe Barry prefers to play either—although given the skill set of his cornerback room, he should be willing to adjust, as we saw him do more so towards the end of last season. With that said, given the depth of the cornerback room, Valentine’s path to the 53-man roster and playing time is going to come via special teams. To begin the year anyways, Matt LaFleur has already said that Rasul Douglas and Jaire Alexander will be on the boundary with Keisean Nixon in the slot. Eric Stokes will be worked into that mix as well when he’s fully healthy.
Valentine said it
"“I feel like I’m a physical press-man corner. I feel like I can be left on an island on my own and have success,” said Valentine via Packers.com. “I took bits and pieces from everybody, even Jaire Alexander, himself. I watched him when I was younger and even in college.”"
Pre-draft scouting 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.” – Lance Zierlein, NFL.com"