Packers: Is there hope for Aaron Rodgers after 2021 NFL Draft wrap-up?
The Green Bay Packers now find themselves in an odd spot with their MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers, not wanting to come back to the team. They have failed him in multiple years in drafting a receiver in the first round. However, it’s hard to say they didn’t do well with DeVante Adams, wide receiver, Aaron Jones, runningback, and Robert Tonyan, tight end later in the draft. But, he seems stuck in his stance, and for what it’s worth it didn’t seem to change their draft board much. They helped out the team in multiple ways, but was it enough?
After going for broke last year with trying to get a Rodgers replacement, they could not afford another blown draft.
The Packers are by no means a bad team, but they did need to go after a few positions in the draft. The wide receiver always being the biggest needs for them. Yes, Rodgers had an elite-MVP season, but that doesn’t mean he would be the same guy next year. After DeVante Adams, there is not a ton of overall talent on the pass-catching side of the ball. There were also some questions about cornerback and interior offensive line mainly at the center.
With multiple elite wide receivers left on the board, the packers chose to go with a corner. He may not have even been the best corner left on the board either, to some people.
The draft started out a little rocky, but could the Packers come back and build a top-end draft for an already solid overall team?
Round 1, Pick 29: Eric Stokes, CB, Georgia
Eric Stokes out of Georiga had one of the best pro-days for the cornerback position. He showed his world-class speed and athletic ability. This will be helpful against a division foe receiver in Justin Jefferson from the Vikings. While I think there may have been a better option at the corner there, he will come into the team as maybe the most athletic player on defense they have.
Eric Stokes in his final season at Georgia he had 20 tackles, four interceptions, four pass breakups, and two touchdowns in just nine games. Though it was his only season with an interception.
In his first two seasons at Georiga though he did not get an interception he had 58 total tackles, 18 pass breakups, and a sack in 22 games. Stokes also played alongside another top-end corner in Tyson Campbell at Georgia, so that was a solid secondary. All four starters got drafted from Georiga. The Packers just have to hope they got the 2020 version of Stokes with his ball hawk ability. In 2020 the Packers had just 11 interceptions tied with five other teams towards the bottom of the league.
Stokes had 1/3 of their total picks last year by himself in just nine games.
Scheme Fit- B
Draft Value- C
Overall grade- C+
With it being a need, there were other more well-rounded players at the position left on the board. Such as Kelvin Joseph and Asante Samuel Jr. Stokes could have been had in the second round judging by the draft.