The Green Bay Packers made an incredible amount of moves this off-season to get the defense to a championship caliber. Highlighted by Xavier McKinney and multiple draft picks who are expected to play significant roles this season, new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley has a number of stars to work with.
However, could the Packers add one more veteran to a position that has some depth concerns?
The Green Bay Packers Could Sign A 30-Year-Old Cornerback To Bolster Depth
Midway through the off-season, the Packers have to be one of the more confident teams in the NFL. They are coming off a 9-8 season in which they were eliminated in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. There are a few holes to fill on that roster, but free agency could help after the 2024 NFL Draft.
CB Xavien Howard was released by the Miami Dolphins at the start of the new season. It’s a name Green Bay should consdier at this point in the off-season. Howard can generate takeaways on the backend because of his instinctive playmaking ability. The 30-year-old has good eyes and ball skills to make plays when the football is coming his way.
According to Richard Louis of FanSided:
The Baylor product has recorded 331 total tackles, 95 pass deflections, and 29 interceptions in his eight-year career.
The Packers already have a No. 1 cornerback in Jaire Alexander. They need to find him a dependable running mate to line up on the opposite side. Howard could provide them with just that.
Green Bay could also use a veteran in that locker room. They had the youngest team in the league in 2023 at 25.1 years old. That leadership could mean the difference between another one-and-done playoff run and a push for the Packers’ first NFC Championship of the Jordan Love era.
Will The Packers Add To The Cornerback Position?
It is likely that Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes will start on the perimeter, while Carrington Valentine will rotate in. The slot is likely to be occupied by Keisean Nixon.
The presence of a veteran like Howard could prove beneficial in the event of an injury or underperformance. Additionally, the Packers could likely get him for relatively cheap.
Hafley expects a lot from his secondary as the new defensive coordinator. The Packers decided to overhaul their defensive backfield by drafting Xavier McKinney and three other safeties.
It will be interesting to see how they address the cornerback position going forward (if at all).
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