The Green Bay Packers have a big need at cornerback. With the new league year starting next week and franchise tags being handed out, we now know which free agent cornerbacks will be available on the open market. Here is a look at five free agent cornerbacks that could help the Packers this offseason.
The Packers need for a cornerback was augmented by the uncertainty surrounding Jaire Alexander. The Packers may have to release the former first round pick unless they can find a trade partner for him. Even if they decide to keep Alexander, his injury history demonstrates the team may not be able to rely on him to play all 17 games in 2025.
The top three cornerbacks on the current depth chart are Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine on the perimeter and Javon Bullard in the slot. Former first round pick Eric Stokes will be an unrestricted free agent and probably won’t be back.
Free Agent Cornerbacks That Could Help the Packers Number One: Byron Murphy
Byron Murphy started his NFL career with the Cardinals but spent the last two seasons with the Vikings. The University of Washington alum had a career-high six interceptions in 2024 and earned Pro Bowl honors for the first time.
At 5’11” and 190 pounds, Murphy has average height for a cornerback. Opposing quarterbacks completed 65.5 percent of their passes when throwing to receivers covered by Murphy according to pro-football-reference.com and had a quarterback rating of 76.7.
Murphy had nine missed tackles in 2024, and his tacking is far from elite.
At 27, he should have a few more years left before he begins to slow down and would definitely be the Packers CB1 if he were to sign with the team.
Number Two: D.J. Reed
D.J. Reed has played for three teams in his seven-season pro career, the 49ers, Seahawks and Jets. He is on the smaller side for an NFL corner at 5’9” and 188 pounds which may be a concern for the Packers front office. He is also a year older than Murphy at 28.
Reed is not the ball hawk that Murphy is and has six interceptions in his career. However, Reed is good in coverage. Opposing quarterbacks only completed 57.1 percent of their passes when throwing to receivers covered by Reed and had a quarterback rating of 87.1.
Reed possesses only average speed but is savvy and has managed to stay on the field and avoid major injuries for most of his NFL career.
Free Agent Cornerbacks That Could Help the Packers Number Three: Charvarius Ward
Charvarius Ward stands 6’1” and weighs 196 pounds so he has the size the Packers could use at cornerback. The Middle Tennessee State product earned Pro Bowl honors in 2023 after intercepting a career high a career-high five passes and broke up a league-high 23. Last year, however, he didn’t intercept a pass and missed five games due to injury.
Ward has excelled in coverage during his career and has allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete just 55 percent of their passes over his seven seasons in the league. Last year, however, that number went up to 61.5. He is a more consistent tackler than some of the other players on this list.
Ward will turn 29 in May, so if the Packers look to sign him, it would probably be for fewer years.
He has played for winning teams during his career and could add something to the locker room as a result.
Number Four: Darius Slay
The good news is Darius Slay is a six-time Pro Bowler who has also won a Super Bowl during his NFL career. The Mississippi State alum started 14 games last season for the Eagles but did not intercept a pass.
Slay’s biggest drawback is his age. He is 34 and will turn 35 by the end of next season. At 6’0” and 190 pounds, he has good size.
Even at his age, Slay remains strong in coverage. Opposing quarterbacks completed just 54.7 percent of their passes throwing to receivers covered by Slay and had a quarterback rating of 81.9.
When he entered the league, Slay had 4.36 speed in the 40. He may have lost a step but remains a solid cover corner who could give the Packers a year or two of experienced play if the Packers sign him.
Free Agent Cornerbacks That Could Help the Packers Number Five: Carlton Davis
Carlton Davis spent 2024 with the Lions after playing his first six NFL seasons in Tampa Bay. At 6’1” and 206 pounds, he has good size. The 28-year-old Auburn alum intercepted two passes in 13 games last season for the Lions.
Quarterbacks completed just 55.3 percent of their passes when throwing to receivers covered by Davis last season and had a quarterback rating of only 77.0.
Davis lacks elite speed but knows the game and is positionally sound. He could give the Packers a different body type at the position should they decide to sign him this offseason.
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