7 Packers on the hot seat ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft

6. Packers cornerback Eric Stokes

As a rookie, Eric Stokes showed why he was a first-round pick. Sure, he occasionally gave up some big plays, but he also broke up 14 passes and allowed fewer than half of passes to be completed in his coverage, per Pro Football Reference.

Stokes' second season was cut short due to injury. However, before then, he had been unable to build on an impressive rookie year.

He allowed completions on 80% of the 25 passes that went in his direction, with quarterbacks earning a passer rating of 123.5 against Stokes.

Stokes' spot on the 53-man roster isn't in any doubt, nor is his position in the starting lineup. But it's still a big third season for Stokes. He could face competition if the Packers draft a cornerback. It's a deep cornerback class, so there's likely a good chance they will.

He will need time as he returns from a significant injury. That has to be taken into consideration. But the Packers will also hope to see Stokes get back to how he was playing in his rookie season, and not in the first nine games of last year.

Stokes' performances in his rookie season showed he can be a Pro Bowl cornerback. But the 2021 first-round pick enters a huge third year with the Packers.