One of the biggest question marks the Packers have faced all offseason has been how the team will address the cornerback position. The headline has been the Jaire Alexander situation.
Alexander made waves just days after the 2024-25 season came to an end. While he was in the team's locker clean-out media session, he was very upfront with his feelings on the situation.
While it certainly seems that the Jaire situation is mostly resolved for this season anyway, there are still questions regarding the position after not prioritizing the position in free agency or draft.
The revolving door at corner
Alexander's injuries aside, a lack of quality depth at the position was a big detriment to the team last season.
Eric Stokes was finally healthy, but struggled in coverage. Corey Ballentine was available for 15 games but only played 76 snaps all season on defense, roughly 8% of the Packers defensive reps. Both of them are gone now, leaving in free agency, which leaves the Packers with Alexander, Carrington Valentine and Keisean Nixon as returning players who logged snaps last season.
The team also returns Kalen King and Kamal Hadden, who were active for at least one game last year, but did not record any stats.
Green Bay did add to the position in free agency and in the draft, but not necessarily in the way many would have hoped. The Packers signed Nate Hobbs, who spent the last 4 seasons with the Raiders after being drafted by the team in 2021 in the 5th round. Hobbs only appeared in 11 games last season, starting seven, recording an interception and allowing just two touchdowns in coverage.
Green Bay also drafted Micah Robinson in the 7th round, out of Tulane.
He very well could go on to be a sleeper after a great career with Furman and Tulane. Robinson appeared 42 games for Furman and all 14 of Tulane's games, highlighted by two interceptions in his final year of college, one which was returned for a touchdown.
Help on the way?
With the draft having come and gone, and the race for undrafted free agents pretty much wrapped up, Green Bay has already proven willing to add on to the roster.
The Packers added Isaiah Simmons, a versatile defender who can play linebacker or safety, though Matt LaFleur says the plan is to have him in the linebacker room. As it stands today, with the draft picks mostly factored in (Matthew Golden and Anthony Belton details still needing to be worked on) the Packers have an estimated $25-$27 million in cap room.
Should the Packers look to add at defensive back, there are a couple options still on the market. Rasul Douglas is coming off a down year in Buffalo, but had a great run in Green Bay. Could a reunion be in the works? Probably not, but it does remain a fun option.
Another choice could be Asante Samuel Jr., who has battled his fair share of injuries during his rookie contract, but when healthy has averaged a 59.5% completion percentage when targeted, and has 6 career interceptions.
At this point in the offseason, neither would likely be costly for a "prove-it" type deal. Samuel may be worth a little bit more of an investment, in the neighborhood of a 2-or-3 year deal given his younger age and high performance when healthy.