Packers receive plus grade for first-round draft pick Eric Stokes
After last season, cornerback was always going to be high on the list of priorities for the Green Bay Packers in the 2021 NFL Draft.
And while Aaron Rodgers took the headlines for much of the lead-up to the first round, leading many to believe they could take a wide receiver, the Packers focused on making their roster better. And that means bringing in a player who can compete for a starting job at a premium position.
For the first time, GM Brian Gutekunst didn’t trade up in the first round, instead opting to stay put at No. 29 overall, where the Packers selected Georgia cornerback Eric Stokes.
And the pick deserves a strong grade.
. CB. Green Bay Packers. ERIC STOKES. B+
The Packers had good options at various positions including wide receiver, defensive tackle, and along the offensive line. Instead, they fixed their biggest need by selecting Stokes.
There’s a lot to like about Stokes’ game and it’s easy to see why Green Bay picked him.
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah wrote that “Stokes is a size/speed cornerback with good ball skills”.
Stokes is 6-foot-1 and ran a 4.25-second 40-yard dash at his Pro Day. The Packers are adding speed on defense and Stokes is a great athlete. As for his ball skills, Stokes made four interceptions in his final season at Georgia, including a pair of pick-sixes.
NFL Next Gen Stats projected that Stokes has the highest probability of any cornerback in this year’s class to make a Pro Bowl in his first three seasons. With an All-Pro in Jaire Alexander on the other side of the field, they have the potential to be a special cornerback duo together in Joe Barry’s defense.
According to Sam Monson of Pro Football Focus, Stokes allowed just 145 receiving yards last season. When you factor in his coverage and turnover abilities, there’s a lot to be excited about Stokes’ potential in Green Bay’s defense.
What stops the pick getting a higher grade is that Green Bay missed out on the top cornerbacks in the class including Greg Newsome II. Many draft analysts viewed Stokes as a Day 2 pick.
Despite that, in the end, it doesn’t matter where you’re drafted. All that matters is your performance on the field. The Packers believe Stokes can make an impact in the secondary and land a starting job. I tend to agree.