Packers 2018 training camp preview: Cornerback
The Green Bay Packers have made a number of changes at cornerback this offseason, setting up an exciting training camp.
The Packers had to get better at cornerback, and new general manager Brian Gutekunst has made sure they have.
After making the surprising decision to trade away Damarious Randall, Gutekunst got to work, signing veteran Tramon Williams and bringing back Davon House.
He then turned to the draft, using his top two selections on talented prospects Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson. Jackson, in particular, was a surprise as many felt he would be selected in the first round.
So, the question now is how does the depth chart shake out for Week 1? That’s where training camp comes in.
The Packers could decide to keep as many as seven cornerbacks on the 53-man roster.
Williams is almost certain to be one of them, and he’s the frontrunner to start in Week 1. Not only does he have experience playing for the Packers, and is coming off a great season in Arizona, but he has also played in Mike Pettine’s scheme before.
Second-year Kevin King could also secure a starting job if he’s fully healthy. He missed the end of the 2017 season due to a shoulder injury that had been bothering him for much of the year.
The two rookies, Alexander and Jackson, will make the roster, but how much playing time they get early in the season will depend on their performances at training camp and in preseason.
House has a good chance of making the 53-man roster, which would take the total to five. With one, possibly two, spots available, who will make the roster?
There will be a number of players competing for a place on the roster: Quinten Rollins, Herb Waters, Lenzy Pipkins, Donatello Brown, Josh Hawkins and Demetri Goodson.
Prediction
Williams will secure a starting job for the start of the season, and he’ll line up opposite King in Week 1. If Alexander plays well, he could start the year at nickel.
I expect Jackson and House to provide depth early on, but Jackson has the potential to start later in the year, depending on how quickly he adjusts to the NFL game.
Rollins, a second-round pick in 2015, has the talent to offer depth at the position, but he’s recovering from a torn Achilles that ended his season in 2017. I predict that Rollins will be healthy and earn a spot on the roster at training camp.
Next: Top 30 moments in Green Bay Packers history
Packers fans have plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the cornerback position moving forward. We’ll get an idea of how much the secondary has improved at training camp.