Packers 2022 roster preview: Rasul Douglas set for another big season
One of the surprises of the entire 2021 season, Rasul Douglas went from the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad to a star in the Green Bay Packers‘ defense.
In desperate need of cornerback help after Jaire Alexander got injured, the Packers turned to Douglas. And he didn’t disappoint.
Can Douglas build on his incredible 2021 season?
2021 stats
Douglas played in 12 games with nine starts. He finished with 13 pass defenses, five interceptions, and two pick-sixes.
According to Pro Football Reference, quarterbacks throwing in Douglas’ coverage earned a passer rating of just 44.5 while completing 50 percent of passes.
Impressive numbers from Douglas.
2021 season review
When the Packers signed Douglas from the Cardinals’ practice squad, few could have predicted the impact he would make.
He stepped up against his former team in Week 8, making nine tackles, two pass defenses, and a game-winning interception to give the Packers a huge road victory versus the Cardinals.
Douglas had pick-sixes in consecutive weeks in victories over the Los Angeles Rams and Chicago Bears. He then made two interceptions in the Christmas Day win against the Cleveland Browns, including a game-winner.
Douglas made a huge impact for the Packers when they needed it most. They signed him after Alexander suffered a shoulder injury.
As a result, Douglas deservedly landed a new deal in the offseason.
Will he make the roster?
Yes. Douglas will be a starter in Green Bay’s secondary.
What to expect in 2022
The big question for Douglas is whether he can follow up his excellent play from a year ago.
He was on three different teams in 2021 before finding success with the Packers. Did he just go on a great run and will take a step back this season? Or did he find the best situation and scheme to help him play to his best?
Maybe it will be somewhere in between. Douglas was playing at a Pro Bowl level for much of last season. It won’t be easy to repeat that.
But why not? He made play after play last season and continuously proved doubters wrong. He will also be playing alongside Alexander and Eric Stokes in what could be the NFL’s best secondary.
Douglas will enter 2022 with higher expectations than last year, that is for sure. But as he showed last season, he can be a game-changer for this defense.