Upcoming draft class aligns almost perfectly with what Packers must add to seriously contend for a Super Bowl in coming years
Cornerback is a short- and long-term need.
The Green Bay Packers must add cornerbacks — both for depth and high-end talent, despite what general manager Brian Gutekunst said publicly. Now, without a first-round pick and with salary cap constraints, it may be hard to find a Day 1 starter.
Well, the good news is this draft class is perfectly aligned with what the Packers have and in the area where they have enough capital to get.
Strong class on Day 2
Brian Maafi, a draft guide contributor at Cheesehead TV, mentioned that the draft is full of potential Packers fits at cornerback in the second and third rounds — exactly when the Packers can make big investments with higher-level prospects.
“One of the strengths of this class is the depth at the CB position,” Maafi said. “So, there are a number of Day 2 guys that would fit the Packers. At least with the information we have at this point pre-combine.”
Maafi explains that the Packers have different thresholds for boundary cornerbacks and nickel players, but outside players are the priority at the moment. For this profile, the Packers will want prospects with at least 5-10 1/2, preferably 6-0+; at least 190 pounds, ideally 193; plus 31-inch arms; and 4.55 or faster in the 40-yard dash, ideally sub 4.5 — Josh Jackson is the only cornerback during Gutekunst’s tenure that was over 4.5, and he didn’t pan out. They also want agile players with good 3-cone drill times (6.96 or faster, but preferably 6.86 or faster).
The prospects who fit that strict profile include Chris Johnson from San Diego State, Julian Neal from Arkansas, Devon Marshall from NC State, Will Lee III from Texas A&M, and Thaddeus Dixon from North Carolina.
“The one caveat I would add is that it’s likely Johnson ends up going in the first round because of the lack of first-round players in this draft and the fact that he plays corner,” Maafi added. “Those guys always get a boost. As a couple honorable mentions, I would add Collin Wright from Stanford and Charles Demmings from Stephen F. Austin. I don’t think South Carolina’s Brandon Cisse will be there at pick 52, plus I don’t like his fit in Green Bay. His hips are a little stiff and I question his long speed.”
Cornerback is a short- and long-term need for the Packers, and especially at this position, the draft is the best place to find a real solution.
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