The Green Bay Packers have created a fascinating scenario at the cornerback position. How they navigate the depth chart without Jaire Alexander is a story to watch, and general manager Brian Gutekunst faces some tough decisions.
Kalen King's future is among them.
King once had first-round expectations but fell to the Packers in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft after a disappointing final season at Penn State.
Now, he faces an uphill battle to make the Packers' roster.
King impressed during his first summer in Green Bay, making several plays on the practice field, including a pick-six on Jordan Love. However, it didn't translate to regular-season snaps. King didn't play in his rookie season, and it may have been a sign of what's to come.
Former Packers draft pick Kalen King faces an uphill battle to make the 53-man roster
While there will be competition for spots at cornerback, King has work to do.
Two recent predictions have King missing the roster. Andy Herman of the Pack-A-Day Podcast went with Nate Hobbs, Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, Kamal Hadden, and this year's seventh-round pick Micah Robinson as the Packers' five cornerbacks in his 53-man roster projection.
The other prediction came from Wendell Ferreira of A to Z Sports, who also had the Packers keeping five. The only difference from Herman's was free-agent pickup Gregory Junior taking the final spot ahead of Robinson.
King misses out in both predictions.
It's far from a foregone conclusion. Herman even notes that King has a chance, and the Packers will let them compete. King also received some praise from defensive passing game coordinator Derrick Ansley this offseason.
However, it doesn't help that King is likely a slot-only corner, and the Packers are well-stocked in that position with Hobbs, Nixon, and Javon Bullard all able to take snaps there.
And that's before we mention Gregory Junior, who received first-team reps in the nickel ahead of King this offseason.
The Packers will also give rookie Micah Robinson every chance to secure a roster spot. King faces an uphill battle to secure a roster spot and will need to make an impact at training camp.