Most experts viewed cornerback as a question mark for the Green Bay Packers entering training camp this season. The team lacked a legitimate top cover corner since Jaire Alexander left. GM Brian Gutekunst recognized the problem and took specific steps to address it over the offseason. But now, the depth chart at cornerback has changed and the Packers cornerback competition has taken an unexpected turn. We examine how things are shaping up at cornerback prior to the second preseason game.
Packers Cornerback Competition Takes an Unexpected Turn: The Start
Training camp opened with incumbents Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine as the starters at cornerback. This duo had an up and down campaign last season but were exposed when Micah Parsons was lost for the season with a torn ACL. When the pass rush wasn’t getting home, the cornerbacks inconsistencies in coverage became a problem.
With that in mind, Gutekunst made three major additions to the group over the offseason. First, he signed free agent Benjamin St-Juste to provide a veteran to compete for playing time. Then, at the draft, he added Brandon Cisse in the second round and Domani Jackson in the sixth round. Jackson viewed as a developmental pick, but Cisse was expected to at least compete for significant playing time in his first NFL season.
When training camp opened, Nixon and Valentine remained atop the depth chart while Cisse and St-Juste were listed as the primary backups at boundary corner.
Developments at Training Camp
When camp opened, developments took place that changed the equation. First, Valentine missed significant time with a hamstring injury. That gave Cisse an opportunity to get more reps with the starters early on. He has taken full advantage of that chance and has played well.
Even before the first preseason game, head coach Matt LaFleur was impressed with how Cisse has played and carried himself.
“There’s no doubt he has the skill set. That was pretty evident I would say when he was coming out in the draft,” LaFleur told reporters earlier this month. “Just the attitude, the effort, the preparation, the thing he’s in control of, he’s done an outstanding job. He had a great play yesterday as a cloud corner, so he’s doing a lot of good things.”
As camp progressed, St-Juste played consistently while Nixon remained up and down. As the days past, St-Juste got more opportunities with the starters and Nixon saw time with the second or even occasionally the third string defense.
Packers Cornerback Competition Takes an Unexpected Turn: The Latest Developments
Then came the preseason opener in Pittsburgh. Cisse played well and made a good open-field tackle during the game. St-Juste played but was rarely tested as the Steelers quarterbacks tested the younger and less experienced players on the field.
Nixon, however, struggled. Yes, he was beaten by receivers, which will happen. But he made little to no effort to make a tackle on a play that resulted in a 24-yard gain by the Steelers receiver. This is a big concern because in the playoff loss in Chicago in January, Nixon made a “business decision” and failed to make the effort to make a tackle near the goal line. The Packers eventually lost their lead and the game.
On Sunday, LaFleur addressed the corner room. “Obviously, it starts with doing your right assignment, and then it comes down to your style of play,” LaFleur told reporters. “How are you competing going after the ball, not only in the pass game but in the run game, as well? Are you sticking your nose in there? We need corners that are willing and capable tacklers.”
The two starters at the beginning of camp may both lose their jobs. Valentine in part due to injury and Nixon due to a lack of effort at tackling. Thus far, Cisse looks to be one starter and St-Juste and Nixon are fighting for the other.
We are less than a month away from the start of the Packers season and the cornerback competition has already taken some unexpected turns.
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