The Green Bay Packers still need reinforcements at cornerback, and presumably, they'll seek help in the draft. ESPN's latest mock has them doing so by selecting Treydan Stukes at 84th overall out of Arizona.
Stukes' combination of speed, stature, and big-play ability makes him an extremely intriguing Day 2 prospect. Among cornerbacks last season, Pro Football Focus ranked him sixth in the nation with an overall grade of 90.1. In particular, Stukes excels in coverage.
But there's a dilemma. The former Wildcat is best suited to play nickel, the role Javon Bullard grew into so soundly last year. If the Packers draft Stukes, how will he fit into the defense? There's no need to start grooming a Bullard replacement with two years left on his rookie contract.
Green Bay hopes to avoid more roster chaos next season. Determining Stukes' potential fit would be a must before burning a third-round pick on a possibly redundant, if very enticing prospect.
Packers must decide whether they can draft another nickel in face of outside need
In his mock draft notes, ESPN's Field Yates highlights flexibility as one of Stukes' most appealing traits, branding him as a "versatile defensive back who can fit into any scheme." It's easy to imagine the Arizona product slotting easily into Jonathan Gannon's nickel and dime packages all over the field.
What the Packers really need, however, is reinforcement on the outside. Bullard fared much better in the slot last season after struggling as a rookie strong safety. If anything, releasing Nate Hobbs could further aid his growth. Adding another DB to play nickel isn't a task of high priority.
In itself, Stukes' skill set is tantalizing. Being 6-foot-1 gives him an edge on jump balls, contributing to four interceptions last season for the Wildcats. He also held opposing quarterbacks to a ghastly 34.4 passer rating. Per PFF, only seven CBs fared better. At the combine, Stukes blazed through a 4.33 40-time.
There is loads to like about Stukes as a prospect. The potential hangup for the Packers is that, even with his flexibility, he isn't going to walk in and soothe uncertainties about a future led by Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine on the boundaries. Adding Benjamin St-Juste should help, but let's not get too excited yet.
For his part, Stukes sounds a lot like Bullard, the Packers' 58th overall pick in 2024.
"Coaches will love his football character and versatility as a big nickelback or split safety," writes draft expert Lance Zierlein of NFL.com. Bullard is a few inches shorter, but the description is otherwise a match. That could give the Packers more of a good thing, or it could be redundant and confusing.
Zierlien also notes that Stukes needs to improve in man coverage, which isn't ideal. Although Gannon favors zone and DB-heavy packages, Green Bay's cornerback room craves someone who can win one-on-one matchups downfield. While no rookie should be expected to do that on day one, Stukes isn't necessarily equipped to do that in the future, either.
Granting those concerns doesn't mean that drafting him at No. 84 overall would be a mistake. Although the Packers already have Bullard with two years of cheap control remaining, surely Gannon could find a place for Stukes in dime sets.
He would have a use, that much is certain. The concern is that drafting a player who doesn't address the roster's pressing needs would mean getting less than the full return on investment. In that regard, Green Bay might be better off taking Texas corner Malik Muhammad, ESPN's selection at No. 86 to the Chargers.