The Green Bay Packers' cornerback rebuild has continued. After signing Benjamin St-Juste and selecting Brandon Cisse and Domani Jackson in last month's draft, the Packers have now claimed M.J. Devonshire off waivers. They also landed tight end Luke Lachey off waivers.
Devonshire is now on his fifth team since the Las Vegas Raiders selected him in the seventh round two years ago. His most recent stop, the Buffalo Bills, is particularly notable for the Packers.
During his, albeit relatively brief, stay in Buffalo, Devonshire worked alongside Packers secondary coach and pass game coordinator Bobby Babich, who served as the Bills' defensive coordinator last season. That could matter.
Why Bobby Babich is potentially important for M.J. Devonshire in Green Bay
Devonshire has yet to play a regular-season snap in the NFL, but Babich would've learned a lot about him in Buffalo. And that goes beyond just how he practiced, but also his character, work ethic, and the information that doesn't always show up on a scouting report.
Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst would undoubtedly have reached out to Babich for insight before putting in a waiver claim.
And Devonshire has an opportunity. If Babich is on board with his arrival and believes in him, it will only help his chances of making the roster.
Competition is the theme at cornerback this offseason. Keisean Nixon will presumably start alongside one of Carrington Valentine, Benjamin St-Juste, or Brandon Cisse, but once you get beyond the top four, the door is wide open at the position.
Domani Jackson will likely make the roster as the CB5, as he offers long-term upside. But if the Packers keep six corners, which they absolutely could, Devonshire will have a shot. Competition comes from the equally inexperienced Shemar Bartholomew and Kamal Hadden.
Bo Melton is still technically a cornerback on the roster, but he didn't play a single defensive snap last season and offers more value at wide receiver.
Devonshire has a lot to prove – there's a reason why he hasn't played an NFL snap yet. But the Babich factor could help him. They didn't spend long together in Buffalo, but Babich must've seen enough to want him in Green Bay. It's hard to imagine the Packers bringing him in without at least consulting their new secondary coach.
And, sometimes, all you need is an opportunity. The Packers have completely restocked their depth at cornerback after enduring some woeful performances last season. The door is open to make an impact at training camp.
Devonshire's brief time working with Babich may have helped him earn another shot, and he now joins a wide-open competition for the final roster spot at cornerback.
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