Packers projected to sign cornerback Dontayvion Wicks destroyed in playoffs

The Green Bay Packers have more confidence in their cornerback depth chart than many fans.

When fully healthy, Green Bay has a talented trio of Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes, and Carrington Valentine. But there are question marks. Alexander has missed 24 games since the start of 2021, while Stokes has missed 22 over the past two seasons.

The Packers drafted Kalen King in the seventh round, but many expected them to address the position far sooner.

Green Bay seems satisfied as training camp nears. Stokes is healthy after battling hamstring injuries last season, while Valentine has continued to make progress after a promising rookie year.

However, what if the Packers want to add a veteran?

ESPN names Stephon Gilmore as a potential target for Packers

ESPN's Aaron Schatz recently wrote about one final move each NFL team should make. For the Packers, Schatz had them signing free agent cornerback Stephon Gilmore.

"The Packers need a backup for Stokes with more experience than Corey Ballentine or Carrington Valentine," writes Schatz. "Gilmore, 33, still has something left in the tank and would be valuable to the Packers even if he couldn't beat out Stokes for the starting spot in training camp."

The idea of adding a veteran cornerback could make sense, especially in a backup role. But bringing in Gilmore would only add to the confusion in the secondary. Would Gilmore, who started all 17 games for the Dallas Cowboys last season, accept a backup job? It's unlikely the Packers would sign any veteran to start ahead of Valentine or Stokes.

Gilmore posted solid numbers last season, breaking up 13 passes, intercepting two, and allowing a passer rating of 82.7 in his coverage, per Pro Football Reference. He continued to play at a high level.

However, he put in arguably the worst performance of his career in the playoff loss to the Packers. According to PFF, Gilmore allowed completions on all four targets thrown his way for 81 yards and a touchdown. He earned an awful 37.8 overall grade and an even worse 33.7 coverage grade.

Dontayvion Wicks played a starring role, beating Gilmore for a 20-yard touchdown catch that put the Packers up by three scores in the second quarter.

It was a moment Packers fans have played on loop ever since. Jordan Love deservedly receives praise for his role—he made a crucial adjustment at the line, stood calmly in the pocket while the Cowboys brought pressure, and fired a beautiful pass over the middle. But Wicks also played it to perfection, beating Gilmore one-on-one before making an outstanding catch in the end zone.

Is Gilmore still a Pro Bowl cornerback entering his age-34 season? Spotrac projects he will sign a deal worth $9 million annually. Even if it's only a one-year contract, that's a lot of money to pay someone who isn't guaranteed to start and play significant snaps.

The Packers could add cornerback depth this summer, but it's unlikely they will make a big move for Gilmore.

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