Writing is on the wall for Packers' recent draft pick
The Green Bay Packers already had a crowded cornerback room, but the emergence of seventh-round rookie Carrington Valentine has really ramped up the competition over the last few weeks. With the top-5 cornerback spots now set (once Eric Stokes comes off the PUP), it's become a seven-man race for the CB6 job and possibly -but […]
The Green Bay Packers already had a crowded cornerback room, but the emergence of seventh-round rookie Carrington Valentine has really ramped up the competition over the last few weeks.
With the top-5 cornerback spots now set (once Eric Stokes comes off the PUP), it's become a seven-man race for the CB6 job and possibly -but doubtful- the CB7 job.
There's an excellent chance the CB6 will go to a guy who can play the nickel position. The Packers have plenty of good outside corners, but they don't have a true inside guy to replace Keisean Nixon if he were to go down with an injury. Sure, Joe Barry has guys who can play inside when needed (Jaire Alexander, Rasul Douglas), but they are at their best when they're on the perimeter. So, it's best to leave that alone, if possible.
That's why the last several practices were so big for former fifth-round pick, Shemar Jean-Charles. He can play inside and Innis Gaines, the favorite to win the backup nickel job, had been out with an injury. That gave SJC a big opportunity to really cut into Gaines' lead.
Unfortunately, he couldn't get it done. And that was proven on Wednesday when Gaines returned to practice and immediately slotted in behind Nixon.
The No. 2 secondary consisted of Carrington Valentine and Corey Ballentine at corner and Innis Gaines in the slot. The return of Gaines has meant a demotion for Shemar-Jean Charles – not a good sign as the 2021 fifth-rounder fights to maintain his roster spot. – Bill Huber, Packer Central
Jean-Charles was primarily a depth/special teams player last year. A nagging ankle injury limited him to just six games, so he was already facing an uphill battle before Valentine's ascension.
The former 2021 pick has two more chances to prove he deserves to keep his job: Thursday's practice and Saturday against the Seattle Seahawks. If he can't impress, then he'll either find himself on the Packers practice squad or on a new team -in whatever capacity- very soon.
You can check out Huber's full practice report, here.
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Featured image via MARK HOFFMAN/MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL / USA TODAY NETWORK
