Packers face dwindling time and limited options to finally fix their most pressing roster concern
Green Bay signed Nate Hobbs to a big deal in free agency, and his performance so far hasn’t lived up to the team’s expectations, putting the defense in a tough spot.
Cornerback was a need for the Green Bay Packers in the 2024 draft. It was again a need in the 2025 draft. In each of those instances, the team opted to take fliers in the seventh round. Kalen King is not on the roster anymore, and Micah Robinson is a practice squad player.
Since taking Eric Stokes in the first round four years ago, the Packers haven’t taken a cornerback before the seventh round, and now you can see it.
There was some sort of reconstruction of the unit going on in 2025. Jaire Alexander was released, Stokes, Corey Ballentine, and Robert Rochell all left in free agency. The team signed Nate Hobbs in free agency.
While the departures weren’t bad decisions whatsoever, the decision to give Hobbs a four-year, $48 million contract in free agency and the lack of extra action at the position have backfired.
CB play hasn’t been good enough
Keisean Nixon has clearly been the team’s most productive corner, especially with his ability to generate pass breakups. However, it’s not always clean — against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, he gave up a 116.7 passer rating when targeted. He seems to be better suited as a CB2.
Meanwhile, Hobbs has been tough to watch. Traditionally a slot corner, he was signed by the Packers in part because of his versatility to play inside and outside. But as a full-time boundary corner, he’s been insufficient. A 109.7 passer rating when targeted against the Cardinals, plus penalties, is just another example of how things are not working out for Hobbs.
Former seventh-rounder Carrington Valentine hasn’t had a great season either, but at least he looks to be more effective as a boundary player. However, the Packers don’t seem to be comfortable with him. On Sunday, Nixon and Hobbs played 100% of the defensive snaps, while Valentine was on the field for just 3% of the plays.
The Packers are running out of time to solve it
With the deadline approaching, the Packers have two weeks to pull off a trade to solve the cornerback issue. The best options include Tennessee Titans’ Roger McCreary (more of a slot too, though), Seattle Seahawks’ Riq Woolen, New Orleans Saints’ Alontae Taylor, or even former Packer and now Miami Dolphins’ Rasul Douglas. Neither would solve anything by themselves, though.
In free agency, the best option is Asante Samuel Jr., who underwent neck surgery in April and is working to get back this season. Beyond him, there is an older player in Stephon Gilmore, who’s long removed from his prime but was still a viable option for the Minnesota Vikings last year.
The Packers took a weak-link approach to the cornerback room. However, there is a clear weak link in the group, so it’s easy to see a scenario where it falls apart. The production upfront helps mask those deficiencies, but for a team that wants to contend, this could become a fatal flaw.
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