Packers could recreate Rasul Douglas magic with intriguing CB options around the NFL
Back in 2021, cornerback Jaire Alexander hurt his shoulder. He was set to miss a significant part of the season, and the Green Bay Packers needed options. Eric Stokes was an unproven rookie, and the other alternatives were mediocre at best: Isaac Yiadom, Shemar Jean-Charles, Kevin King, and Chandon Sullivan in the slot. General manager […]
Back in 2021, cornerback Jaire Alexander hurt his shoulder. He was set to miss a significant part of the season, and the Green Bay Packers needed options. Eric Stokes was an unproven rookie, and the other alternatives were mediocre at best: Isaac Yiadom, Shemar Jean-Charles, Kevin King, and Chandon Sullivan in the slot.
General manager Brian Gutekunst was forced to find options in the market, so he signed Rasul Douglas off the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad.
Douglas not only was a good depth piece, but he established himself as a really good starter. Last year, the Packers traded him to the Buffalo Bills for a swap of third- and fifth-round picks, a move that Gutekunst would probably want back.
Now that the Packers are thin at cornerback again, and Jaire Alexander is hurt again, Green Bay could look for a similar solution — especially because safety Javon Bullard got injured against the Detroit Lions, and he had been a starter in the slot.
It’s hard for a practice squad player to come in and be as successful as Rasul Douglas was for the Packers, but there are some intriguing options around the league.
Tre Flowers, Indianapolis Colts
Flowers is 29 and has been in the league since 2018. His best moments were with the Seattle Seahawks, but he also played for the Cincinnati Bengals, Atlanta Falcons, and Jacksonville Jaguars. Now, he's on the Colts' PS, and Chris Ballard tends to like the same types of players that Brian Gutekunst does.
Desmond King, Baltimore Ravens
King is a 29-year-old slot corner, something the Packers might need if Javon Bullard's injury is more serious. He's played for the Los Angeles Chargers, Tennessee Titans, Houston Texans, Pittsburgh Steelers, and this year has been with the Ravens. Usually, NFL pundits and analysts love him, but the NFL hasn't been as high on what he can do.
Andrew Booth Jr., Dallas Cowboys
A second-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2022, Booth never became what Kwesi Adofo-Mensah projected. However, he had some decent moments last season. In 2024, he was traded to the Dallas Cowboys and spent part of the season on the 53-man roster. Booth was waived in early November and brought back to the Cowboys' practice squad.
Tre Herndon, New Orleans Saints
Despite being undrafted, Herndon played six seasons for the Jacksonville Jaguars, so he is a really experienced player. This season, his first out of Jacksonville, he spent some time with the New York Giants and is now with the Saints. According to PFF, last season was his best in the NFL (especially in coverage).
Kyu Blu Kelly, Las Vegas Raiders
We know the Packers like him, because Gutekunst claimed Blu Kelly off waivers in 2023 and he spent a month in Green Bay. A former fifth-round pick, he has also played for the Baltimore Ravens, Seattle Seahawks, and Washington Commanders. He's been with the Raiders since September, and as a 23-year-old player, his ceiling is higher.
Packers’ glaring defensive weaknessses got exposed by the Lions in a big way
Green Bay lost because Detroit drove the field with ease multiple times