Packers: Evaluating each position on defense ahead of free agency

Cornerbacks

Kevin King was the top draft pick for the Packers and showed a ton of promise. An injury to his shoulder cut his development short but with surgery already behind him there should be no reason to expect he won’t build on his promising rookie season.

King did a decent job considering his injury and rookie status holding up against Julio Jones and A.J. Green. The hope is he can be ready to go once OTAs begin. If King can’t get back on the field till training camp, his development may take a minor bump, but nothing he can’t overcome.

Davon House never got fully healthy but, when in the lineup his experience was a welcomed sight.  He is a free agent and I wouldn’t be surprised if he feels he has unfinished business and comes back on a similar deal to the one he got last offseason.

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Damarious Randall proved to be the top playmaker of the CBs. His continued growth and maturity can help the Packers feel he wasn’t a wasted first-round pick. Randall would be best served in the slot position where his experience as a safety and ball skills can be better utilized. As we have seen with Randall, he can do some good things with the ball in his hands.

Herb Waters had his season cut off before it got started. Waters was transitioning from receiver to Corner when he injured his foot during training camp. Prior to the injuries he was earning high praise from Joe Whitt.

Rollins was a second-round selection and has a lot of work to do to prove it wasn’t a wasted pick. Rollins, like Randall, might be better suited for the slot where his lack of speed won’t be as much of an issue.

Lenzy Pipkins, Donatello Brown and Josh Hawkins have the tangibles required for the position. It will be up to them and the coaching staff to continue the development and show they may be the next Sam Shields or Tramon Williams.

Verdict: Joe Whitt is a respected position coach, and although his responsibilities are going to increase as defensive passing game coordinator this season, there is no reason to think he won’t be involved in the development at the position.

Every player in this group must improve and at least one CB must be added this offseason, preferably more.

Green Bay will be in perfect position to have the pick of the top corners in the draft and cap space to sign a free agent.

The problem is, this is a high-demand position and will command top dollar. Should the Packers go after one of the top-rated free agent corners, it is very possible half of the cap space remaining could be used on that one player making it difficult to add more than one high-end free agent.