Packers: Bashaud Breeland should return in 2019

Signed as a free agent after the regular season had started, cornerback Bashaud Breeland has shown the impact he can make on a game and the Green Bay Packers should bring him back in 2019.

The five-year pro spent his first four seasons with the Washington Redskins before becoming a free agent ahead of the 2018 season.

Unfortunately for Bashaud Breeland, a cut on his foot turned into an infection and cost him a three-year, $24 million contract with the Carolina Panthers.

It wasn’t until September 26 that the Green Bay Packers would sign Breeland to add depth to their secondary after moving Davon House to injured reserve.

Breeland wouldn’t make his Packers debut until Week 9 after battling a hamstring injury. He would later miss Weeks 12 and 13 as well with a groin injury.

Over his first four seasons, Breeland missed just three combined games. Some of the blame for his recent injury issues in 2018 can be attributed to not having a normal offseason and missing training camp.

However when he’s been on the field for the Packers, Breeland has shown the type of playmaker he can be.

In just four games as a Packer, Breeland has recorded a fumble recovery and two interceptions, including his second career pick-six against Atlanta.

During his time in Washington, Breeland was responsible for eight interceptions and averaged just under 15 pass deflections per season.

Breeland is able to bring a physicality to the cornerback position that not all are capable of. Off the line he uses that physicality to jam and reroute receivers, throwing off the timing between them and the quarterback.

During the route, Breeland shadows the receivers quite well and is able to mirror their movements, making him a difficult defender to shake.

Just as we saw in the Atlanta game, Breeland has the ability to recognize routes early and keeps his eyes locked on the quarterback. This accompanied with his good ball skills allows him to be in position to make the interception or to breakup the pass.

With Kevin King on IR, Tramon Williams playing a lot of safety, as well as unproven rookies Tony Brown and Josh Jackson, Breeland will play a big role on this Packers defense for the remainder of the season.

Heading into 2019 there will be a lot of talent in the secondary but they are young and raw.

At just 26 years old and entering his prime, Breeland will give the Packers a veteran in the secondary with big play potential. And most likely after an injury riddled 2018, the Packers will get Breeland on a discount as well.

Re-signing Bashaud Breeland should be on the Green Bay Packers’ to-do list this offseason. He will be a fantastic third option in this young secondary behind Jaire Alexander and Kevin King.