Why the Packers have the best cornerback trio in the NFL

Rasul Douglas is back where he belongs. In Green Bay, Wisconsin. The free-agent CB signed a three-year, $21 million deal to remain with the Green Bay Packers for the foreseeable future, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

With No. 29 back, it is fair to say that the best trio of cornerbacks plays their home games at Lambeau Field. All-Pro CB Jaire Alexander, steady second-year CB Eric Stokes, and then Rasul Douglas proved to be arguably the most impactful addition on defense in the NFL.

Green Bay has never had a cornerback group like this. Yes, fans remember the days of Charles Woodson (who is in a league of his own), Tramon Williams, Sam Shields, and Casey Hayward later on. This current group of Packers CBs belongs in that same category.

Fun fact: Alexander, Stokes, and Douglas have only played in one game all together. It was Green Bay’s divisional-round loss to San Francisco. Here is what people forget about: The 49ers’ offense scored just six points. As this group gets more experience next season, opposing teams will find it very hard to throw on these guys, especially at Lambeau Field in January.

Each of these three players are incredibly versatile. Alexander can cover slot and outside receivers. His speed is his strength but his timing is also key. He knows exactly how to jump a route and at the very least break up a pass without getting called for a pass interference. In four career seasons (48 career games), he has just seven career penalties called against him.

He can challenge the best jump-ball receivers in the game as well on deep passes. He has 44 career passes defended in his young career. The All-Pro is as stout as they come.

Stokes is one of the more underrated young defensive payers in the game. He finished second among rookies last season in pass break-ups with 14. He is one of the fastest players in the game (4.2 speed). After Week 5, with the exception of Week 9, Stokes would go on to start every single game for Joe Barry’s defense.

He took some lumps, but he had a very strong first season in the NFL. Especially considering he guarded the likes of DeAndre Hopkins, Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, D.K. Metcalf, Cooper Kupp, Odell Beckham Jr., and Deebo Samuel. Look for him to take another step in Year 2 in DC Joe Barry’s system with Alexander and Douglas.

Speaking of Douglas, he is the man of the hour. After being on three different practice squads last season, Green Bay signed him in early October. He would go on to break out. In only 12 games, Douglas had five INTs.

His most memorable moment was his game-winning INT on a Thursday night in Arizona that was the definition of crazy. He had a season-high nine tackles that game as well. He had back-to-back games with a pick-six. He also had a game with two interceptions vs. Cleveland on Christmas Day.

He was a shot in the arm for Green Bay’s defense, especially with both Alexander and CB Kevin King being out due to injury. The versatility and ball skills that he displayed were unreal. He should’ve been voted to be an All-Pro with his outstanding season.

With Rasul Douglas and the Packers agreeing to a new deal after a standout campaign last year, Jaire Alexander completely healthy going into 2022, and Eric Stokes going into just his second season after an impressive rookie year, the CB situation is in a great spot. They are set up for long-term success.

Green Bay can compete with contending teams that are deep at the WR position. The Los Angeles Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are Green Bay’s premier challengers in the NFC. Both teams have stacked pass-catching groups. Make no mistake about it, Green Bay is more than ready to put up the road blocks with their big three CBs that happen to be the best in the game.