NFL Combine Preview: Defensive Backs

The final edition in our series of previewing the NFL Scouting Combine; The defensive backfield is likely to be a major emphasis this offseason for Brian Gutekunst and his front office. Here is a look at some of the guys at both corner and safety that he could look to add.

GREEN BAY, Wis

Stop me if you've heard this before.

The Green Bay Packers need help in the secondary.

Yes, despite countless picks and a record-setting contract extension for Jaire Alexander last offseason, the Packers' cornerback and safety rooms are in flux. 

There is only one safety who played any defensive snaps of significance a season ago under contract.

Darnell Savage, Jonathan Owens, and Rudy Ford, the primary trio that took safety reps, are all slated to become free agents. 

At cornerback, Alexander is coming off another injury-riddled season that was also marred by some bizarre behavior that both he and the team have said they've moved beyond. 

Beyond him, there are a boatload of question marks.

Eric Stokes had more stints on injured reserve in 2023 than he has career interceptions. 

Carrington Valentine rode the rookie roller coaster, and Keisean Nixon is slated to be a free agent.

This draft could resemble Ron Wolf's in 1999 where he took three defensive backs in the first three rounds. 

Here are some of those guys that he could take at both corner or safety, with a full list of workouts here. 

Kris Abrams Draine, Missouri

Resume 85.8 overall grade; 89.9 coverage grade; Abrams-Draine had four interceptions and 11 pass breakups in 2023 with a 54.7 passer rating against him in his final season at Missouri. Abras-Draine had seven interceptions and 30 pass breakups in his career and was penalized 11 times. He has experience at free safety with 35 snaps there, and 502 snaps in the slot as well. 

How He Fits

Abrams-Draine is smaller than the Packers have typically preferred with their cornerback group. He weighs 178 pounds according to Pro Football Focus. His weigh-in will be a key metric to watch during his time in Indianapolis. 

If the Packers did draft him, Abrams-Draine could give them some versatility, having played snaps at nickel, boundary corner, and safety. 

The Packers could plug him in almost anywhere in their secondary based on how their evaluation of him works. Brian Gutekunst said the nickel and safety positions were interchangeable, which could make Abrams-Draine a prime target. 

Brugler Ranking: 98

Daijahn Anthony, Mississippi

Resume 71.6 overall grade 75.3 tackling grade; 75.1 coverage grade; Anthony had three interceptions and six pass breakups in 2023 with a 62.3 passer rating against him. Anthony has experience as a strong safety and slot cornerback for the Rebels. 

How He Fits

Anthony is another versatile piece that could play slot corner or safety, having done both in college, while his primary position was strong safety. Anthony is a good tackler, with the ability to play closer to the line of scrimmage, which is something the Packers have struggled to replace since Adrian Amos' play declined after the 2021 season. 

Brugler Ranking: Unranked

Terrion Arnold, Alabama

Resume 88.4 overall grade; 90.6 run defense grade; 84.9 coverage grade; The ball-hawking corner from Alabama hauled in five interceptions and had 13 pass breakups in 2023. That was an improvement on one interception and seven pass breakups in 2022. 

How He Fits

Arnold would likely require the Packers to make a significant trade-up in the first round to secure his services. The Packers have the draft capital to make that happen if they wanted to, but it's unlikely Brian Gutekunst would think of that as the best use of his resources this offseason.

If Arnold were drafted by Green Bay, he'd slot as the starting corner opposite of Jaire Alexander on the boundary, with the Packers trying to recreate what they thought they were getting when they drafted Eric Stokes. 

Brugler Ranking: 10

Seven Items on Packers’ Scouting Combine Itinerary

Cole Bishop, Utah

Resume: 65.6 overall grade; 67.5 overall grade; 60.9 coverage grade; The starting safety for the Utes had two interceptions and one pass breakup in 2023, and a completion percentage against him of 53.8. 

How He Fits 

Bishop would likely require a pick within the top-100 of the NFL draft, which means Bishop would likely be one of their preferred starters. Any safety that the Packers use a significant piece of capital on this offseason will likely be in line for significant reps due to the situation within the safety room.

Bishop's tackling ability, where he earned a 72.3 grade according to PFF and only missed 13 percent of his tackles in 2023, would be a welcome addition to a Packers secondary that struggled mightily as a tackling unit a season ago. 

Brugler Ranking: 82 

Beau Brade, Maryland

Resume 67.8 overall grade; 70.6 run defense grade; 65.4 coverage grade; Brade spent time at both strong and free safety in his final season for the Terps. Brade had three interceptions in four seasons and nine pass breakups over the last two years. 

How He Fits

Brade is another player who has played both strong and free safety in his career but spent most of his time at strong safety.

Regardless of what position he plays, the Packers need players at both spots. Anthony Johnson Jr. is the only safety on the roster that got any meaningful reps at the position 

Brugler Ranking Unranked

Javon Bullard, Georgia

Resume 82.8 overall grade; 67.1 run defense grade; 88.4 coverage grade; Bullard had five pass breakups and a passer rating against him of 34.0 in 2023, where he was only penalized once. Bullard was sticky in coverage, with only a 53.8 completion percentage allowed in 26 targets. 

How He Fits 

Bullard played both free and strong safety at Georgia. His athleticism will be something to watch, as the Packers look to rebuild their safety room.

Bullard could start at either position in 2024. The Packers have a massive need at safety, and Bullard's ability to tackle in space would be an open addition to the safety room. 

Brugler Ranking 72

Calen Bullock, USC

Resume 71.5 overall grade; 49.0 run defense grade; 70.8 tackling grade; 82.2 coverage grade; Bullock had seven pass breakups with two interceptions in 2023, and only allowed a 59.1 completion percentage against him. That was down from his big 2022 season where he had five interceptions as a primary free safety. 

How He Fits

Post safety is the buzzword around Green Bay this offseason, and there may not be a better prospect for that position than Bullock. Bullock played each of the last two seasons as USC's free safety, and pulled in seven interceptions over the last two seasons.

Bullock's biggest improvement would have to come in his run defense and tackling. Bullock had 10 missed tackles in 2023, and his last two games against Oregon and UCLA were particularly rough, earning below-average grades in each of those two games. 

The Packers would have to trust that his tackling would improve with improved coaching and technique training. 

Brugler Ranking 68

Calen Bullock makes a play on the ball / Gary Vazquez - USA Today

Jaylon Carlies, Missouri

Resume: 68.3 overall grade; 64.5 run defense grade; 65.6 coverage grade; Carlies struggled in 2023, being charged with five touchdowns given up in 12 games. In addition Carlies had 14 missed tackles. Carlies played both as a free and strong safety for Missouri and offers versatility that teams value more with each passing year. 

How He Fits

Carlies has played both safety spots and could be an addition to the back of the Packers' safety room. He has an intriguing size at 6-foot-3, 219 pounds. Someone with those kinds of measurables could have untapped potential that coaches would love.

A body type like that could also lend him to be a solid special teamer if Rich Bisaccia were interested in adding him for that kind of role. 

Brugler Ranking Unranked 

Ryan Cooper Jr. Oregon State

Resume 67.2 overall grade; 67.2 coverage grade; 67.5 run defense grade; 29.0 tackling grade; Cooper Jr. struggled mightily with missed tackles with 15 total and a missed percentage of 27.8 in 2023. He had one interception, and three pass breakups, and was penalized five times. 

How He Fits

Cooper Jr. played on the boundary but spent most of his time in the slot for the Beavers. Of his 1,238 total snaps in college, more than 700 came as a slot corner.

That position could be open in Green Bay. Keisean Nixon is slated to become a free agent, and nobody else on the roster spent much time as a nickel corner a year ago. If Cooper Jr. were selected as the team's slot corner of the future, he'd have to improve as a tackler, and quickly. 

Brugler Ranking Unranked

Cooper DeJean, Iowa

Resume 77.4 overall grade; 78.6 run defense grade; 76.8 coverage grade; DeJean had two interceptions and four pass breakups in 2023 with a 37.8 passer rating against him. He was also one of the better punt returners in college football with an average return of 11.5 yards and a touchdown. 

How He Fits 

Early in the process, DeJean is by far the most popular draft pick for the Packers according to the mock drafts.

It makes sense. DeJean could play on the boundary, in the slot, or at safety. He's fast has ball skills, and brings value to a team as a punt returner.

DeJean would be a first-round pick, and with his special teams value, could be someone the Packers really like. 

DeJean is not participating in the Combine drills due to a season-ending injury he suffered in the team's Week 11 game against Rutgers, but he should be ready for training camp. 

Brugler Ranking: 23

COOPER DEJEAN! IOWA HAS GONE MAX IOWA AND GETS A PUNT RETURN TD TO LEAD 16-12!!! pic.twitter.com/sAq9NdBa0u

— Sickos Committee (@SickosCommittee) October 21, 2023

MJ Devonshire, Pittsburgh

Resume 61.9 overall grade; 51.7 run defense grade; 48.6 tackling grade; 63.1 coverage grade; Devonshire's ball skills were on full display in 2023 with four interceptions and five pass breakups. He allowed a completion percentage against him of 49.5 percent and was penalized four times. 

How He Fits 

Devonshire's ball skills and playmaking would be a welcome addition to the Packers' secondary that did not intercept a lot of passes a season ago.

Rasul Douglas had one interception last year in the second game of the season. He was traded in October. He still finished one interception behind team leader Rudy Ford, who only had two. 

Devonshire's tackling would need to improve, he had seven missed tackles in 2023.

Brugler Ranking Unranked

Marcellas Dial, South Carolina

Resume 79.1 overall grade; 78.2 coverage grade; 70.7 run defense grade; Dial had seven pass breakups in 2023 playing boundary corner, with only five missed tackles. All three of Dial's interceptions came in 2022, and he has 24 pass breakups in his career. 

How He Fits

Dial's experience is almost exclusively as a boundary corner, with a couple of spare snaps at other positions.

The Packers do need help on the outside at cornerback. Jaire Alexander is going to be around, but the rest of the cornerback room is riddled with question marks. Carrington Valentine had some nice moments, but also some low moments. Dial would likely compete at the back of the cornerback room, and need to contribute on special teams if he were selected.  

Brugler Ranking Unranked 

Johnny Dixon Penn State

Resume: 66.0 overall grade; 56.3 run defense grade; 65.5 coverage grade. Dixon is not as decorated as his fellow draft classmate Kalen King but had some nice moments for the Nittany Lions, with five sacks on nine pressures in 2023 and eight sacks for his career. Dixon had a 77.9 quarterback rating against him in 2023. 

How He Fits

Dixon would play on the boundary across from Jaire Alexander but could be an effective blitzer for the Packers, who could be sending more pressure from the secondary under new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. 

Brugler Ranking Unranked

Renardo Green, Florida State

Resume: 83.2 overall grade; 73.0 tackling grade; 86.4 coverage grade; Green's sticky coverage saw him pile up 13 pass breakups and one interception in 2023, with a completion percentage against him of 51.7. 

How He Fits

Green would be another addition in the later rounds to the back of the cornerback room to compete for spots that were held by Corey Ballentine a season ago. 

Green's sticky coverage could help him if Jeff Hafley is going to decide to play more man coverage in key situations as he alluded to in his introductory press conference. 

Green's experience was nearly exclusively on the boundary during his college career, and that's where he'd likely play at the next level. 

Brugler Ranking Unranked

Kamal Hadden, Tennessee

Resume 85.7 overall grade; 90.4 coverage grade; 57.0 tackling grade; Hadden pulled in three interceptions in six games in 2023, and had 12 pass breakups in his three-year career for the volunteers. His 2023 was shortened due to injury, and he's only played one full season in 2022. That year he had two interceptions, but was penalized nine times. 

How He Fits

Hadden excelled in coverage in 2023 but struggled with injuries and defending the run. The Packers need bodies in the cornerback room, and could be intrigued by Hadden's size at 6-foot-1, 197 pounds. 

He'd have to prove to be more willing as a run defender, along with finding the ability to stay on the field. 

Brugler Ranking Unranked

Dominique Hampton, Washington

Resume 66.2 overall grade; 73.0 tackling grade; 67.4 coverage grade; Hampton was a starting safety for Washington's defense with two interceptions and seven pass breakups in 2023. The passer rating against him was 82.1 and he was only penalized four times. 

How He Fits

Hampton was a sound tackler for Washington's defense which was able to get all the way to the National Championship Game.

Hampton is a smart player but would need to clean up his tackling. He missed 17 tackles in 2023, with a missed percentage of 13.7 percent.

That being said, Hampton, like any other safety the Packers bring in this offseason, will be able to have an opportunity to earn reps because of the lack of bodies in the safety room for the Packers. 

Brugler Ranking Unranked 

Daequan Hardy, Penn State

Resume 65.9 overall grade; 73.7 run defense grade; 63.9 coverage grade; Hardy was the slot corner for a loaded Nittany Lions secondary and hauled in two interceptions and broke up five passes en route to a 71.4 passer rating compiled against him. 

How He Fits

Hardy would be an interesting case study, because he's 5-foot-9. The Packers have bent their usual preferred thresholds for height at cornerback for Jaire Alexander, but Hardy is shorter than Alexander.

Hardy could be in play simply because the team could view him as a slot corner instead of just a regular cornerback. If that were to be the case, Hardy would be in play to be the team's starting nickel corner. Keisean Nixon is a free agent and whether he'll be back is unclear. 

Brugler Ranking Unranked

Cam Hart, Notre Dame

Resume 83.3 overall grade; 84.2 coverage grade; 73.7 run defense grade; Hart knocked away two passes last season and allowed a completion percentage against him of 53.6, and a passer rating of 67.1. 

How He Fits

Hart is a boundary corner who played in a complicated system for Notre Dame's head coach Marcus Freeman. 

Hart could be a boundary cornerback and provide competition to the back end of the cornerback room.

With his size of 6-foot-2, 207 pounds, it's also possible the Packers could try and convert him to safety, or see what his value would be on special teams. 

Brugler Ranking Unranked 

Jaden Hicks, Washington State

Resume 76.6 overall grade; 83.6 pass-rush grade; 83.0 coverage grade; 66.7 tackling grade; Hicks had two interceptions and four pass breakups in 2023, and showed ability as a blitzer with eight pressures and three sacks. 

How He Fits

Hicks would be an instant starter for this Packers' defense. His coverage ability and tackling make for a good mix, and he has good size to play as a safety in the box.

He struggled with some missed tackles in 2023 with 14 total but could make enough plays on the ball to where he would not just be required to play close to the line of scrimmage. 

Brugler Ranking 43

Khyree Jackson, Oregon

Resume 80.5 overall grade; 82.2 run defense grade; 77.4 coverage grade; the aggressive Jackson had three interceptions and eight pass breakups and a 41.6 passer rating against him. He was penalized four times in 2023. 

How He Fits

Jackson's another tall corner at 6-foot-3 which could give him intriguing potential as a boundary cornerback. 

Jackson potentially fits at the back of the cornerback room, but the competition at that position should be wide open considering the dearth of talent and litany of question marks at the position. Jackson would have an opportunity to compete for reps early in his career. 

Brugler Ranking Unranked

Elijah Jones, Boston College

Resume: 86.9 overall grade; 89.8 coverage grade; 71.7 run defense grade; Jones had a career-high five interceptions in 2023 with six pass breakups to total 30 for his career. His passer rating against him was 18.1 in 2023 and he was only penalized twice, which was down from the seven flags he drew in 2022. 

How He Fits: 

If there is any player in this draft class that could fit Hafley's defense, it would be Elijah Jones. Why? Well, he just finished playing for Jeff Hafley at Boston College. 

Drafting a cornerback that already knows the system, or at least is familiar with Hafley has its advantages in terms of shortening the learning curve. 

Jones would not be just a nepotism pick, he can play too. He was always around the ball, especially later in his career. Jones had seven interceptions and 17 PBUs in his final two seasons at BC. He thrived under Hafley, and could do so again at the next level. 

Brugler Ranking: Unranked

Kamren Kinchens, Miami

Resume 67.8 overall grade; 65.1 coverage grade; 69.4 run defense 58.4 tackling grade; Kinchens is one of the ballhawks in this class with five interceptions in 2023, but also two pass breakups. 

He totaled 11 interceptions in his career, and 10 pass breakups. Kinchens will make plays on the ball. 

How He Fits

Kinchens' ball skills would be a welcome addition to Green Bay's secondary. Rudy Ford was the team's leader in interceptions with two. 

Kinchens tripled that total in 2022 and had five interceptions in 2023. 

If the Packers drafted Kinchens, it'd likely be with him set to be a starter from the day he steps into camp barring a major addition to the safety room. 

He'd likely be a player the Packers would have to pick in the second round. 

Brugler Ranking 62

Kalen King, Penn State

Resume 60.3 overall grade; 55.7 coverage grade 73.6 run defense grade; King was the most decorated of Penn State's cornerbacks coming into the season, but had a disappointing year after a 2022 season saw him pull in three interceptions and a passer rating against of 48.9. King's biggest struggle came in his most marquee matchup against Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr. 

How He Fits

Kalen King might have been a first-round pick if he had entered the draft a year ago. 

Instead, King returned to college in hopes of winning a Big Ten championship. 

Instead, the Nittany Lions suffered losses to Ohio State and Michigan, and King struggled mightily in his big matchup against Marvin Harrison Jr.

The Packers have a history of taking talented players who had a disappointing final season in college. Just last year they took Dontayvion Wicks in the fifth round after his final season did not build off his penultimate season.

Wicks turned into one of their best receivers last year. Perhaps the Packers could take a shot on King later in the draft for a similar type of reward. 

Brugler Ranking 84

Kamari Lassiter, Georgia

Resume 85.4 overall grade; 87.2 coverage grade; 79.9 tackling grade; Lassiter's passer rating against him was 48.7 in 2023 with five pass breakups. He only missed four tackles during the season as well. Ball skills could be a concern, Lassiter only has one interception in his three-year career, but also only allowed two touchdowns. 

How He Fits

Brian Gutekunst loves Georgia players, and just took a cornerback from there three years ago with Eric Stokes. Could he go back to the well to find someone to potentially replace Stokes? 

Lassiter could be in play for the Packers in the first round. His sticky coverage would fit well with what Jeff Hafley is trying to run in his "vision-based" defense.

Lassiter would have the opportunity to compete as a starter immediately if he were drafted by the Packers. 

Brugler Ranking 44

Dwight McGlothern, Arkansas

Resume: 91.3 overall grade; 85.7 tackling grade; 91.8 coverage grade; McGlothern had 14 missed tackles in four seasons, and a missed percentage of 3.7 in nine games in 2023; He can take the ball away as well, totaling seven interceptions in the last two seasons to go with 15 pass breakups in that timeframe. 

How He Fits

McGlothern's size could be intriguing to go with his ball skills. His three interceptions in nine games in 2023 would have led the Packers. 

He's 6-foot-2 and 188 pounds, which could be something the Packers are looking for under new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley.

McGlothern's biggest asset at this point of his career is his tackling ability. He missed less than 10 percent of his tackles in each of the last two seasons. The Packers need help at cornerback, and he could give them a boost with his ball skills and physicality. 

Brugler Ranking Unranked

Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama

Resume 88.8 overall grade; 83.0 run defense grade; 78.7 tackling grade; 87.8 coverage grade; McKinstry had four pass breakups and a passer rating against him of 73.1 in 2023; He had 21 PBUs and two interceptions for his career with a missed tackle percentage of 8.8 percent. 

How He Fits

McKinstry's draft stock is all over the place depending on who you ask. There's a chance he could go in the top 10. There's a chance he is available when the Packers are on the clock at 25. 

McKinstry paired with Terrion Arnold to form one of the top cornerback duos in the country. McKinstry would have a chance to start across from Jaire Alexander as a rookie and grow into another great cornerback duo with him. 

Brugler Ranking 29

Patrick McMorris, Cal

Resume 70.5 overall grade; 55.5 run defense grade; 73.3 coverage grade; The transfer from San Diego State had six interceptions and 13 pass breakups in his career. He was only penalized three times and had a passer rating against him of 81.5. Tackling is an issue, where he missed a whopping 20.1 percent of tackle attempts throughout his career and only had one season below 20 percent. 

How He Fits

McMorris would have to clean up his tackling to be a fit in Green Bay. The Packers have struggled enough at getting opposing ball carriers to the ground, and adding another player who struggled would seem like an exercise in futility.

McMorris had 62 missed tackles in the four seasons that he received more than 100 snaps. 

If he can clean that up, his ball skills could be useful in Green Bay with his six interceptions, including a career-high of four in 2021. 

Brugler Ranking Unranked

Max Melton, Rutgers

Resume 73.1 overall grade; 64.9 run defense grade; 73.7 coverage grade; Melton blocked four punts in college, and had a passer rating against him of 65.7 in 2023. He was penalized nine times in four years, and hauled in eight interceptions. His tackling will leave a little to be desired with 23 missed tackles, including 12 in 2023. 

How He Fits 

Max Melton is much more than just the brother of current Packers' wide receiver, and late-season sensation, Bo Melton. Max Melton can play on both defense and special teams. 

Melton, if nothing else, could become a stalwart on special teams like he was at Rutgers, where he blocked a whopping four punts.

He could fit as a boundary corner but he does have 112 snaps of experience in the slot as well. 

The Packers need multiple corners, and Melton could help them in multiple spots. 

Brugler Ranking Unranked

Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo

Resume 91.5 overall grade; 76.1 run defense grade; 91.6 coverage grade; Mitchell had 14 pass breakups in 2023 and 32 for his career. The career passer rating against him is 54.8, and he has six interceptions, including five in 2022. 

How He Fits

If there were ever a perfect fit for the Packers' needs in a draft class, it might be Mitchell. Of all draft-eligible cornerbacks, Mitchell is the only one who has a coverage grade above 80 in man or zone coverage.

The issue for getting Mitchell in Green Bay could be where he is drafted. He is Dane Brugler's 11th-ranked player, which could require a significant trade-up for the Packers to secure his services.

Gutekunst has not been shy about trading up in the past if he likes someone, but trading from 25 to 11 would represent his most significant trade-up for his career. 

Brugler Ranking 11

Josh Newton, TCU

Resume 76.9 overall grade; 81.3 pass-rush grade; 77.2 coverage grade; 69.5 run-defense grade; Newton had one interception and six pass breakups in 2023 with a passer rating against him of 64.8

How He Fits 

Newton started every game over the last two years for TCU, and has plenty of experience playing as a boundary cornerback in a pass-happy Big 12 conference. 

He had more than 900 coverage snaps over the last two seasons and could fit in with the Packers as competition for the back half of the cornerback room. 

Brugler Ranking Unranked

Tyler Nubin, Minnesota

Resume 89.2 overall grade; 70.2 run defense grade; 90.1 coverage grade; Nubin's coverage skills were on full display in 2023 when he had a passer rating against him of 39.6, five interceptions, and four pass breakups. Nubin has 12 interceptions over the last three seasons and 11 pass breakups. 

How He Fits

Nubin is the most highly-regarded of the safeties in this draft class. 

The former Gopher, like Cooper Dejean, whom we talked about earlier, is one of the more popular selections to help Green Bay fix its safety position. 

Nubin would likely be given a chance to start immediately if the Packers do not make a significant addition in free agency. 

His playmaking would be a welcome sight for a Packers' secondary that desperately needs to inject some ball skills into it. 

Brugler Ranking 41

Tyler Nubin makes a play for the Gophers / Alex Martin - USA Today

Kitan Oladapo, Oregon State

Resume: 88.3 overall grade; 91.3 run defense grade; 84.4 coverage grade; Oladipo was a solid run defender for the Beavers in a pass-happy Big 12. He was still able to make enough plays on the ball with three career interceptions and 19 pass breakups. 

How He Fits

Oladapo's size of 6-foot-3 217 pounds is an intriguing start for a potential box safety in Jeff Hafley's scheme. Oladapo's not just a one-trick pony. His ability to make plays on the ball improved every season while he was in college, and he had a career-high with two interceptions and seven pass breakups in his final year at Oregon State. 

Oladapo could fit the box safety role with a strong training camp, or provide some competition at the back of the safety room. The Packers need multiple bodies, so there will be plenty of competition. 

Brugler Ranking Unranked

Tyler Owens, Texas Tech

Resume: 56.7 overall grade; 56.1 coverage grade; 68.6 pass-rush grade; Owens was penalized just three times in five years of college, and had five pass breakups. 

How He Fits

Owens' biggest calling card is his versatility. He spent time at Texas Tech at free safety, slot corner, and strong safety. 

That versatility could help him play a variety of roles in Green Bay. Earlier this offseason Brian Gutekunst said that the safety and nickel positions were becoming more interchangeable than ever. 

Owens could contribute in a variety of ways, which fits well on a team that needs to fill a variety of roles. 

Brugler Ranking Unranked

Andru Phillips, Kentucky

Resume: 71.1 overall grade; 72.9 coverage grade; 61.4 run defense grade; Phillips had 10 pass breakups over the last two seasons, playing all three cornerback positions at Kentucky. Phillips had a strong week at the Senior Bowl, showing off his coverage skills. 

How He Fits

Phillips brings a physical brand of football to the cornerback position similar to his former college teammate Carrington Valentine. 

Phillips has experience playing in the slot with 415 snaps there over the last two years. 

Phillips' versatility could be something the Packers value as their cornerback room goes through the transition that is expected this offseason. They will also be able to get good intel on him from someone who is already in their cornerback room. 

Brugler Ranking 69

Deantre Prince, Mississippi

Resume 76.2 overall grade; 73.9 run defense grade; 73.5 tackling grade; 75.0 coverage grade; Prince had six interceptions in four seasons, which included missing the 2020 season. Prince had 19 pass breakups and a passer rating against him of 80.3. 

How He Fits 

Prince's ball skills could give the Packers some playmaking that was sorely missed in 2023. 

The Packers are placing a higher emphasis on turnovers under Jeff Hafley, and Prince's six interceptions would be a welcome addition to the defensive backfield. 

Prince has been a sound tackler in his college career. He missed 11.3 percent of his tackles in his college career. 

Brugler Ranking Unranked

Ennis Rakestraw Jr. Missouri

Resume 80.7 overall grade; 89.0 run defense grade; 78.7 coverage grade; Rakestraw Jr. missed 8.3 percent of his tackles with the only three he had coming in his final game of the season. Rakestraw Jr's aggressiveness can work for him, he had 21 pass breakups, but also was penalized 13 times. 

How He Fits

Rakestraw is not featured as often as Iowa's Cooper Dejean is when it comes to being picked by the Packers, but he has been a popular selection as well.

Rakestraw was set to play at the Senior Bowl but missed time due to an injury. 

Rakestraw's confidence is evident on film and could make life difficult for opposing receivers if he were paired with Jaire Alexander.

A strong offseason could have the Packers looking at Rakestraw Jr in the first round. 

Brugler Ranking 48 

Mike Sainristil, Michigan

Resume: 81.4 overall grade; 61.1 tackling grade; 85.0 coverage grade; Sainristil had seven interceptions in two seasons as a cornerback. His passer rating against him was 71.8 and he was only penalized once in two seasons, and it came in his final game at Michigan. 

How He Fits

Sainristil would require the Packers to significantly bend their size thresholds at cornerback. Perhaps they could look at Sainristil differently because he is likely to play strictly in the slot as a pro.

Sainristil was a receiver until the final two years of his college career, and his ball skills were on full display in his final season at Michigan. 

Sainristil would give the Packers a dynamic slot cornerback with ball skills. That's something they could use. Sainristil can play physically, while also making plays on the ball. 

If the Packers are willing to overlook his smaller frame, he would likely be an instant starter as their slot corner in 2024.

Brugler Ranking 60

Mike Sainristil delivers a hit against Ohio State / Adam Carins - USA Today

Jaylin Simpson, Auburn

Resume: 76.9 overall grade; 87.4 coverage grade; 65.9 tackling grade; Simpson finished his college career with a bang, taking the ball away four times in 343 coverage snaps at safety. In addition, Simpson broke up four passes and had a passer rating against him of 54. 

How He Fits:

Simpson has played both safety spots and could offer some versatility that the Packers need at a position that is devoid of bodies at this point of the offseason.

Regardless of how free agency plays out, the Packers will likely need to draft at least one safety if not more. Simpson's versatility, having played both strong and free safety in college, could give him some added value to a team looking to add multiple players. 

Brugler Ranking Unranked

TJ Tampa, Iowa State

Resume: 75.8 overall grade; 66.0 ru defense grade; 78.3 coverage grade; Tampa broke up six passes and had two interceptions while only allowing one touchdown in 2023. That added up to a passer rating against him of 54.8. Tampa's tackling will need to be cleaned up, as he missed 16.9 percent of his tackle attempts in 2023. 

How He Fits

Tampa will not be participating at the Scouting Combine due to a hamstring injury but is still in Indianapolis to interview with teams.

Tampa could likely be had after Green Bay's first-round pick and could be available when they're on the clock at 41. 

Tampa excels in man coverage, which Green Bay figures to play more of under Jeff Hafley than they did Joe Barry. 

Tampa's size of 6-foot-2 is also intriguing as he uses his long arms to disrupt the timing of the quick passing game that the NFL continues to emphasize.  

Brugler Ranking 59

Josh Wallace, Michigan

Resume: 86.5 overall grade; 87.8 run defense grade; 85.6 tackling grade; 84.9 coverage grade; Wallace did not have an interception in 2023, but broke up three passes and had 54.7 percent of the passes completed against him. Wallace had 23 pass breakups in his career, and did not give up a single touchdown in his lone year at Michigan. 

How He Fits

Wallace had the challenge of being the cornerback opposite of Will Johnson Jr, who will likely be a first-round pick in 2025.

Wallace was sound in man and zone and could play boundary corner for the Packers if they were to pick him on the third day of the draft. 

He could compete for a spot at the back of the cornerback room, while also competing for reps in the event of an injury or a strong summer. 

Brugler Ranking Unranked

Ryan Watts, Texas

Resume

How He Fits

Brugler Ranking Unranked

Nate Wiggins, Clemson

Resume 82.5 overall grade; 67.3 tackling grade; 65.4 run defense grade; 83.9 coverage grade; Wiggins pulled down three interceptions and broke up 15 passes, including 10 in 2023. Wiggins' passer rating against him nearly hit rock bottom with a 44.4 passer rating against him in 2023. He cut down on his penalties tremendously, being penalized only once in 2023 after drawing five flags in 2022. 

How He Fits

Wiggins is one of the favorites to blow up the combine. His speed is evident in his film, and the Packers could use some speed in their cornerback room with Eric Stokes potentially losing some of his athleticism due to lower body injuries that plagued him in 2023. 

Wiggins would likely have to be a first-round pick, which would have him set to start across from Jaire Alexander as one of the team's boundary cornerbacks. 

Brugler Ranking 25

Nate Wiggins in coverage / Ken Ruinard - USA Today

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