Packers draft mistake is already coming back to haunt them in 2024

It's hard to argue with the Green Bay Packers' recent draft classes too much.

After hitting a home run last year, the Packers are getting instant contributions from Edgerrin Cooper, Javon Bullard, and Evan Williams, while Jordan Morgan and MarShawn Lloyd showed promise before suffering injuries.

However, the biggest surprise coming out of the 2024 NFL Draft was the Packers' lack of interest in upgrading the cornerback room, especially when they declined Eric Stokes' fifth-year option.

Despite Jaire Alexander and Stokes struggling to stay healthy in recent years, the Packers passed on several opportunities to draft a cornerback in the early rounds. They were in position to make a trade for Quinyon Mitchell or Terrion Arnold, and they passed on other top prospects, like Kool-Aid McKinstry, Kamari Lassiter, and Cooper DeJean.

That decision already looks like a mistake.

Packers' lack of planning at cornerback is hurting them already in 2024

Through five games, the cornerback position has caused problems for the Packers.

Alexander made a fast start before getting hurt, making two interceptions. However, staying healthy remains an issue. The former first-round pick missed 13 games in 2021, 10 last season, and has now missed the previous two contests.

Carrington Valentine has shown promise, but he also missed two games due to injury.

Stokes is healthy, but teams are targeting him in coverage. According to PFF, the former first-rounder has allowed 20 completions on 28 targets for 225 yards and two touchdowns. He faces an uncertain future beyond 2024, as his contract expires in the offseason.

Then what?

Beyond this season, Alexander and Valentine are the only starting outside cornerbacks under contract. The Packers will need to add to the room and likely need a rookie to make an instant impact in 2025. They could've gotten a head start on that process by drafting a cornerback this year who could step into a more significant role in the future.

If they had thought ahead a year ago and drafted Christian Gonzalez over Lukas Van Ness, they would have another lockdown corner to play opposite Jaire.

In the short term, they need a fully healthy cornerback room. If Alexander or Valentine get hurt—as we've seen in the past two games—opposing offenses can find success through the air. The Packers are allowing the 10th-most passing yards per game. They are generating takeaways but at an unsustainable rate, which is the concern.

The Packers have gotten a lot right in their previous two draft classes, but consistently passing on the cornerback position is coming back to haunt them.

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