No position on the Green Bay Packers’ roster cries out more for new talent than cornerback.
In his first draft, general manager Brian Gutekunst selected cornerbacks with his first two picks: Jaire Alexander in the first round and Josh Jackson in the second.
But that was in 2018, eight long years ago. In the seven drafts since, Gutekunst has selected only one in the first four rounds: Eric Stokes, a first-rounder in 2021.
Stokes ended up busting, and the Packers’ cornerback talent has eroded the past few years, accelerated with the departure of the gifted but injury prone and fast-declining Alexander in the 2025 offseason.
It’s true the draft isn’t the only way to stock talent at a position, and Gutekunst found a starting-worthy if inconsistent corner in Keisean Nixon for a pittance in free agency in 2022. But his big swing on Nate Hobbs in free agency last year was a costly miss and exposed the Packers’ weakness at cornerback last season.
As of now, the Packers’ starters on the outside will be Nixon and either Carrington Valentine or bargain free-agent Benjamin St-Juste ($4.9 million average). Gutekunst surely will be looking to add talent to that group in this year’s draft, and there’s a decent chance he’ll even double up at the position, not just for the here and now but looking to 2027 and beyond with Nixon and Valentine in the last year of their contracts.
In other words, cornerback is very much on Gutekunst’s radar for his first pick in this draft, at No. 52 overall in the second round. The question is whether there will be one worth taking at that time.
“Defensive tackle, edge, corner, those are the best positions, they’re lucky in that aspect,” one NFL scout said of this year’s draft class. “Those are the better positions where if one of those guys is around. [Brandon] Cisse is an ideal pick there for them.”
At least three cornerbacks are highly likely to go in the first round: LSU’s Mansoor Delane and Tennessee’s duo of Jermod McCoy and Colton Hood.
San Diego State’s Chris Johnson and Clemson’s Avieon Terrell are also possible first-rounders, though they’re included on the following list of potential Packers second-round candidates on the off chance one might slip to the middle of the second round and be a possible target for a short trade up by Gutekunst. These thumbnail sketches include quotes from four NFL scouts.
Chris Johnson, San Diego State (6-0⅜, 193 pounds)
Four-year player started the last two seasons and had five interceptions and 13 breakups in 2024 and ‘25 combined.
“I have a feeling [Johnson] might go in the bottom of the first round,” one scout said. “I like Johnson a lot. He has really good size and athletic ability. Really good movement skills. He ran a lot better than I thought he would. On tape he doesn’t look like a 4.4 guy, there are some snaps where it looks like he’s struggling to keep up. When he doesn’t get his hands on the receiver you really notice it, but he can stay in phase in press and he’s physical.”
Johnson’s 4.40 40 at the combine probably moved him up from the middle of the second round, though you never know.
“I think he’s gone by [No. 52],” another scout said. “I could see him as a guy you trade up for if you need a corner.”
Said a third scout: “I wouldn’t say he’s a twitchy guy, but he’s physical. He’ll drive on the ball. Some of his best plays were when he came from depth and drove on the route and wrapped up. He’s a physical player. He’ll get rid of blockers. Instinctive. His speed needed to be checked, but then he ran the (4.40) so he has speed, he just doesn’t always show it. He can play man and he can play zone. He’ll go higher because of some of the questions about these other corners.”
Would have a good chance to start immediately for the Packers, but not every scout is sold on him.
“He’s been getting a lot of love lately,” the fourth scout said. “I thought he was an average player. He knows how to play, he’s more of a zone kind of guy. I didn’t see the movement skill, change of direction, top-end speed. Not very tough in run support. Didn’t have the athletic-type man guy, was more of a zone player. I just don’t see him as a starter talent even if you played to his strengths.”
Avieon Terrell, Clemson (5-10¾, 186)
Barely clears the Packers’ 5-10½ height minimum for corners, though his size still might be a concern for them. The bigger question is his speed. He didn’t run at the scouting combine or Clemson pro day, then in a private workout for NFL scouts ran an alarmingly slow 4.64 40.
Terrell told scouts his hamstring tightened on the first of his two 40s, so teams will have to decide how much to take the 40 time into account.
“He played left corner, right corner, slot,” said a scout who considers Terrell a late first-rounder. “He’s not the biggest guy, but he doesn’t take anything from anyone. He’s super competitive and tough. You can tell he’s an athlete right off the jump. The movement skills, the quickness, are exceptional. He’s smooth, he flips his hips with ease, he stays connected no matter what. Breaks on the ball quickly. Doesn’t guess. When he sees it, he’s on it. Excellent ball skills, tracks it well.”
Terrell is the brother of Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell, who was the No. 16 pick overall in the 2020 draft. A.J. Terrell has started all 93 games he’s played in the league (six interceptions) and was second-team All-Pro in ‘21.
Avieon Terrell is leaving Clemson after his true junior season and just turned 21 in January. Had three interceptions and 28 passes defensed as a 2½-year starter. Also forced eight fumbles the last two seasons combined.
“He’s always punching at the ball and ripping it loose,” another scout said. “He’s one of the guys that plays bigger than his size. They had the same questions about his brother, and he’s developed into an outstanding player. (Avieon) would be best in a scheme that plays man or where he’s in the slot. Love his toughness and competitiveness.”
Not everyone’s cup of tea, though.
“I thought he was 4.58 when I watched him on tape,” said a scout on his pre-workout estimate of Terrell’s 40. “I didn’t think he was 4.65. I questioned his speed when I watched him, thought he was a backup player (in the NFL), a backup slot. He does know how to play. He sees it, he feels it. I just thought he struggled as far as athletically, explosiveness, speed-wise to mirror receivers. Lot of balls caught on him, and he plays small. Now I see why. I wasn’t fired up about him.”
Brandon Cisse, South Carolina (5-11¾, 189)
A true junior who doesn’t turn 21 until June and whose draft status is based more on upside than college production.
“He’s talented, he’s fast, they press him a lot, which is best for him, press, turn and run,” one scout said. “He’s quick-twitch. Another guy that gets a little grabby downfield. I don’t know how instinctive he is. But as far as movement-wise, he’s got what you’re looking for.”
Played two seasons at North Carolina State before transferring to South Carolina. Had only two interceptions in 34 college games, including 21 starts. But he ran 4.41 at his campus workout and had an excellent 41-inch vertical at the combine.
“Good player,” another scout said. “Strictly man-cover guy. Good size, good length, physical. He’s a press-man corner. Early second.”
Was a spotty tackler, and one of the scouts said South Carolina’s coaching staff thought he was protecting himself for the NFL. Has some high-end traits but there’s a decent chance he’ll be on the board when the Packers pick at No. 52.
“You can see on the tape his speed and the way he runs,” a third scout said. “The burst, the catch-up speed is there. He can be difficult to get away from. He could run with most of the receivers he played against in that (Southeastern) Conference. He can play in any scheme you ask him to. He’s a very good zone corner because of his reactions, and he can line up in man and run with the best of them.
“… He doesn’t have many interceptions or pass breakups, but those will come. Terrell might be a safer player and play longer at a higher level, but I like the way Cisse has come on.”
D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana (5-8⅝, 182)
Essentially a given he’s off the Packers’ draft board because he’s so short, though teams who care less about that will love his quickness and competitiveness.
Ran 4.36 and had a 43½-inch vertical. Had five interceptions, 21½ passes defensed and 8½ tackles for loss in his two seasons at Indiana.
“He’s a tough little dude, but he plays little,” one scout said. “He does all the things little corners do. You like the quick movements, he’s scrappy. But he plays small. Every year there’s one or two, you get that little scrappy guy you’re rooting for, and they’re a hell of a college football player. Then it’s, all right, this is not the same (as in the NFL).”
David Igbinosun, Ohio State (6-2⅛, 189)
Has great height and length for the position – his height is in the 95th percentile of all cornerbacks at the combine since 1999, according to MockDraftable, and his arm length (32⅞ inches) is in the 91st percentile. Also ran a solid 4.45-second 40 for a corner of his size.
“Has really nice length,” one scout said. “He gets up tight on receivers and uses his hands to jam and redirect. He was physical in the Senior Bowl drills. He has the same ability in off coverage. He wants to tackle and throw his body around, but he has more shoulder strikes than wrap-ups. He’s played in a lot of big games, and his length to make plays is impressive. Better in man than zone.”
Transferred to Ohio State from Mississippi after his freshman season, had four interceptions and 24 breakups in three seasons as a starter at the biggest football factory in college football.
The big worry is penalties. Reportedly had 16 as a junior but cut that to five last year.
“He’s grabby, always holding and hand fighting, so he’ll need to be broken of that,” another scout said. “He needs to do a better job turning his head and locating the ball. There were too many times he was called for not getting his head around. Had all those penalties because he gets tied up with receivers downfield.”
Some scouts like him beginning the middle of the second round, but others see the penalties as a sign he’ll have trouble sticking on NFL-caliber receivers.
“Late-round guy,” a third scout said. “Not an instinctive, natural corner.”
This article originally appeared on Packers News: Packers’ cornerback shopping could start early in NFL draft | Dougherty
Reporting by Pete Dougherty, Green Bay Press-Gazette / Packers News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
