Packers rookie grades: Every draft pick ranked from worst to best at bye week
3. Carrington Valentine, CB
Grade: B+
Drafted: Seventh round
The Packers may have found a diamond in the rough in seventh-round pick Carrington Valentine. He has played fewer than a quarter of the defensive snaps this season, partly due to injury and also to Green Bay's cornerback depth.
But after an excellent summer that secured his spot on the 53-man roster, Valentine has continued to build momentum in the regular season. He shut down DJ Moore in the red zone in Week 1 and hasn't given much away. According to Pro Football Reference, Valentine has allowed two completions on six targets for 53 yards, a passer rating of only 66.7 in his coverage.
A future starter in the secondary?
2. Karl Brooks, DT
Grade: A
Drafted: Sixth round
Karl Brooks was considered a draft steal when the Packers picked him in the sixth round. We're seeing why. Despite only playing around a third of the snaps, Brooks already has two sacks, one QB hit, four pressures, two hurries, and two pass defenses, per Pro Football Reference.
1. Anders Carlson, K
Grade: A+
Drafted: Sixth round
Kicker Anders Carlson is at the top of the rookie power rankings entering the bye week, just as we all predicted. Carlson struggled for consistency in the summer, but the Packers stuck with him. And he has repaid them with a perfect start to his NFL career. As in, literally perfect. He hasn't missed a kick.
And they haven't all been simple kicks, either. Carlson has converted seven field goals, including two of 50+ yards. His longest was a 52-yarder against the Bears in Week 1. Carlson has booted 10 extra-point tries, including the game-winning point against the New Orleans Saints in Week 3.
The Packers have faced their ups and downs through five weeks, but credit to Carlson. He has delivered.