Packers should think about drafting a defensive back early

Coming into the NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers have plenty of needs, but one that is often overlooked is defensive back. Here’s why the Packers should look to grab one early.

I recently created a seven-round mock draft for the Packers and took cornerback Jaylon Johnson in the second round and plenty of commenters let me know that the Packers shouldn’t draft a cornerback that early.

They have too many needs that should be addressed first, like wide receiver, defensive line, offensive tackle and linebacker. I agree, they need to address those positions, but you also need to take good players when they are available and not ignore a player because the team has a hole somewhere else.

With my first pick, I agree with the masses and address the receiver pick. I think the Packers need to truly give Aaron Rodgers another weapon. Depending on players like Geronimo Allison and Jake Kumerow isn’t going to cut it. I took Denzel Mims with the 30th pick.

But when the 62nd pick came up, I decided I was going to take the best available player that would really help the Packers. Utah cornerback Jaylon Johnson was available. He’s garnering first-round attention right now. Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller predicted him to go in the first round of his latest mock draft.

He may not fit exactly what the Packers are looking for in a corner, but I don’t know if they should pass up that talent at 62. I also like LSU cornerback Kristian Fulton. He is a bigger and more physical cornerback that I think fits with what the Packers are looking for. If he falls to pick 62, I think the Packers would have to consider taking him.

Now Johnson and Fulton are just examples, but in today’s NFL, you can’t have enough depth and talent in the secondary. While Green Bay has Jaire Alexander, who could become one of the best corners in the league in the next couple of years, their cornerback situation is still thin.

Kevin King, who had one of his better seasons last year, is still somewhat inconsistent and health is still an issue. He is entering his contract year. Tramon Williams had an excellent season in the slot corner position, but he is still a free agent and will be 37 next season. Bringing him back would add some excellent depth and veteran leadership, but would be a band-aid to the solution.

Behind Alexander and King is Josh Jackson, Chandon Sullivan and Ka’dar Hollman. That doesn’t exactly scream shutdown unit. Adding a cornerback in the draft would help the Packers in the future, especially if they don’t want to pay King after this season.

Another option could be another safety. The Packers are pretty much set with Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage in their base defense, but Mike Pettine likes to play that third safety in the nickel linebacker role. Raven Greene currently occupies that spot, but if the Packers could grab someone like Antoine Winfield Jr., that would be an upgrade and a really good fit. He would be another playmaker in this defense who can cover and come up and stop the run.

If the Packers have the option to get a difference-maker in the secondary, they need to think hard about doing it. I know there are some team needs others think the Packers should take care of first, but I don’t think anyone wants to deal with a bare secondary that gets torched through the air again.

Of course, there is always the third option of making a trade. There are reports around that the Chargers could consider slot corner Desmond King available. Dairyland Express’ Paul Bretl went into more detail about the Packers possibly trading for him. I think if the Packers were able to get Desmond King for a day three draft pick, that’s something they should explore as well. But even if they do trade for Desmond King, I’d like to see the Pack draft a corner for life after Kevin King.