Packers: Why re-signing Kevin King could make sense
Why re-signing cornerback Kevin King could make sense for the Green Bay Packers.
It might not be the most popular move for Green Bay Packers fans, but re-signing Kevin King could actually make a lot of sense.
The Packers have an excellent cornerback trio in Jaire Alexander, Rasul Douglas, and Eric Stokes. King wouldn’t start ahead of any of them.
That’s not why you would re-sign him.
Where King could help is by providing much-needed depth. This is something the Packers lack.
Should Alexander, Douglas, or Stokes get injured, next up for the Packers would likely be one of Shemar Jean-Charles, Kiondre Thomas, or Keisean Nixon.
King might not be a better choice than Alexander, Douglas, or Stokes as a starter, but is he a better backup option than Jean-Charles, Thomas, or Nixon? Quite possibly.
Yes, King struggled in his final two seasons. But don’t forget that only a few years ago, he made 15 pass defenses and a team-best five interceptions. King has made key plays for this defense in the past.
Staying healthy has been another issue, but the Packers would likely be able to re-sign King to a team-friendly, one-year deal. A risk-free move.
When looking for a CB4, you can do far worse than King.
What he offers is plenty of experience. King has featured in 51 games with 42 starts. In that time, he made 30 pass defenses and seven interceptions.
Many Packers fans will be completely against bringing him back. And I get it. It isn’t easy to forget the big touchdown he gave up in the NFC title game. And there is no doubt King hasn’t been at his best the past two years and has also missed time with injury.
But he wouldn’t be returning to Green Bay to start every game. He would be coming back as the CB4.
King isn’t a lockdown corner who wins every matchup, but name a team who has that from their fourth cornerback.
In King, they would be getting an experienced cornerback who knows the system and has made plays for this defense in the past.
He would be an upgrade on the Packers’ other options as the CB4. On a cheap, short-term deal, why not?