Larger role awaits Packers Carrington Valentine following Rasul Douglas trade

With Rasul Douglas being traded away, Carrington Valentine will have the opportunity to start in his place for the time being, as the Green Bay Packers get a closer look at the seventh-round rookie.

"“I do like the young guys in that room,” said Brian Gutekunst on Wednesday. “Stokes and Valentine. Certainly Jaire, who sounds like he’s getting back to full health which will be nice. So I like players in that room, but losing a guy like Rasul this time of the year is tough, but I expect those guys to fill the gaps.”"

Stokes is on IR for at a minimum three more games, but could be out longer. Until he returns, the opportunity on the boundary across from Jaire Alexander presumably belongs to Valentine.

"“Definitely excited to play more,” said Valentine on Wednesday. “Like I said, still going to take it day-by-day. I’m still learning and go from there.“I’m going to go out there, give it my all and be the playmaker that I know I am.”"

Valentine was one of the Packers’ training camp darlings. He quickly worked his way up the depth chart with is play during OTAs and training camp, specifically, his ability to make plays on the ball, coming away with multiple interceptions, along with pass breakups against Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson. In three preseason games, Valentine allowed just six receptions on 15 targets for 80 yards with an interception and four pass breakups, according to PFF.

In the regular season, Valentine has taken some lumps as many first year players do, especially late Day 3 picks. Against Detroit, Corey Ballentine took his place early on, a move that Matt LaFleur said was due to Ballentine’s ability to help in the run game.

Then more recently against Denver, Russell Wilson picked on the rookie, specifically on third downs, completing six of seven passes. Overall, Valentine has given up eight completions on 13 targets at almost 18 yards per catch with no pass breakups.

"“I’ve had some growing pains,” said Valentine. “I’ve had some ups and downs but it comes with the game. You turn the tape on, you learn from it, and keep going.“That’s what’s going to happen when you’re a rookie,” Valentine added. “It’s just something I’m going to have to live with. Like I said, you cut the tape on, you learn from it, and then you keep going.”"

In addition to the Douglas trade paving the way to more opportunities for Valentine, it really eliminates any of the questions about where Stokes fits into this defense as well. Presumably, once he’s available again, he will take over for Valentine on the boundary.

Coming into the season, cornerback was considered one of the strengths on this Packers team. However, at this point, with having to rely heavily on Valentine, along with Stokes and Alexander dealing with injuries to varying degrees, it is now a bit of an unknown.

With uncertainty around Valentine and Stokes, along with Keisean Nixon being a free agent at the end of the season, depending on how the rest of the season plays out, cornerback could end up being a need for Green Bay once again next offseason.

This new-look secondary’s first game without Douglas will come against the Los Angeles Rams. As of now, it doesn’t look like Matthew Stafford will play, which puts Brett Rypien in line for the start, but this is a Rams passing game with three dynamic pass-catching options in Puka Nacua, who is third in total receiving yards this season, Tutu Atwell, and of course, Cooper Kupp.

"“The one thing about this game,” said Matt LaFleur on Wednesday, “no matter what position you play, but especially in the defensive backfield, you better have a short memory. You got to play the next play. I liked how he battled and he kept competing. I know that he’s not afraid and will contest you.“There’s going to be sometimes that happens, especially for the younger players. But he’s shown a lot to us, throughout the course of the preseason, in practice, and he’s a guy we’ve got a lot of confidence in.”"