Packers: Reviewing the roster midway through preseason
Cornerbacks
The cornerback room had quite a makeover this offseason. Everybody knows that the Packers’ defensive backs have been one of the weakest groups in the entire league as of late. To try to correct this issue, the Packers spent their first pick in the 2017 draft on a cornerback, Kevin King, and followed that up by selecting a cornerback in the first and second round of the 2018 draft, when they selected Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson.
The Packers also added back their former Pro Bowl cornerback, Tramon Williams, in free agency. Although Williams is 35 years old, he still has it and played spectacular football in 2017 for the Arizona Cardinals. In his first snap of the preseason and on the very first pass of the second preseason game, Williams intercepted the pass for a touchdown. Tramon will be a starting cornerback on the outside to start the season.
We have yet to see much out of King and Alexander this preseason, as the Packers are being cautious with them as they recover from injuries. Alexander saw his first action against the Steelers and played about 10 snaps as a starter in the slot. Although he did not make any flashy plays and didn’t show up on the stat sheet, he was locked on in man coverage. The belief is that the Packers start the regular season with Williams and King starting on the outside, with Alexander starting in the slot.
Josh Jackson has been the shining star of the preseason at defensive back for the Packers. Almost everybody predicted Jackson to go in the first round of the 2018 draft after leading the NCAA in interceptions, with eight, and also having an impressive 18 pass breakups. The Packers got an absolute steal at pick 45. He has been all over receivers in coverage. So far this preseason, he has been targeted seven times, and has only allowed one catch for nine yards. Jackson should be right in the starting mix to start the 2018 season.
Behind those four cornerbacks I’ve already mentioned, are a bunch of corners on the roster bubble, battling for a spot. That group is made up of Davon House, Lenzy Pipkins, Quinten Rollins, Josh Hawkins, Herb Waters, Demetri Goodson and Donatello Brown.
In my opinion, and just to touch on these players quickly, I believe the battle for the last few spots in the cornerback room really comes down House, Pipkins, Rollins, Hawkins and Waters. I believe Goodson is a definite cut, and Brown will either be cut or placed on the practice squad again this season. Many people would count Waters in the group of guys that will not make the team, but he has been right where he needs to be all preseason to make plays and just hasn’t finished, he has been very close and looks much improved.