5 Options for the Packers at the ‘Star’ CB Role in 2021
The Green Bay Packers did tender Chandon Sullivan, but perhaps they look to upgrade the slot position this offseason. Here are five options that they have.
By Paul_Bretl
Everyone understands that addressing the cornerback position this offseason is a must for the Green Bay Packers. In the short term, it is an extremely thin position with several question marks--excluding Jaire Alexander, of course. And in the long term, the Packers need to find their CB2 out wide.
But it's not only the boundary that could use some attention. While finding an outside cornerback is on the to-do list of just about everyone, adding some competition to the slot position should be on Brian Gutekunst's radar as well, or at the very least, adding some additional depth.
In today's NFL, the nickel corner, or the 'star' as new defensive coordinator Joe Barry calls it, is basically a starter given how often that third cornerback is on the field. In his opening press conference, Barry mentioned that the star cornerback is on the field for about 80 percent of a team's defensive snaps.
Barry also went on in greater detail, highlighting just how important this position is:
"From the defensive standpoint, you better have good pass rushers and really good DB," said Barry via Packer Report. "Specifically that nickel position, that star position. I think it’s vital. It is a little bit different looking at the defense, not to get into a ton of schematics . . . when you move inside where the nickel or star position aligns, you have a whole ‘nother skill set you need to take on. Just because a guy is a great corner outside, you put them inside at the nickel or star position it is a completely different world. I am from the school that you cannot have enough guys who are potential nickels."
So with Barry never having enough potential nickel cornerbacks, as he put it, let's take a look at what options the Packers have to fill this role in 2021.
Chandon Sullivan
At this moment, with how the roster is configured and given that we don't know how the rest of free agency or the draft is going to play out, I still believe Chandon Sullivan is the favorite to take a majority of those nickel snaps this season.
In a limited role in 2019, Sullivan was very good, allowing a completion rate of only 41.7 percent on 36 targets with no touchdowns and an interception. But as the full-time starter this past season, his numbers inflated--although to some degree, that should have been expected with a larger sample size.
On 77 targets, Sullivan allowed a completion rate of nearly 65 percent at 11.8 yards per catch with two touchdowns given up, an interception, and three penalties. I'm sure we remember the NFC Championship Game as well, where early on he was a favorite target of Tom Brady's; however, to Sullivan's credit, he did play a lot better in the second half.
Yet, overall, Sullivan ranked fifth out of 25 eligible slot corners in 2020 with 7.0 snaps per target, and he was second in snaps per reception with 10.8, according to PFF. Solid, but that isn't to say that the position can't be upgraded or perhaps Sullivan's role be reduced.
Jaire Alexander
If we look at the Vic Fangio-style of defense that Barry is bringing to Green Bay, last year in Los Angeles under then defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, Jalen Ramsey took over 170 snaps in the slot. Jaire Alexander, on the other hand, took only 33. As we look ahead to the 2021 season where we could see Alexander moving around more, that could mean additional snaps in the slot as well.
Right before our very eyes, Alexander has developed into a shutdown corner and one of the best in the NFL. There really shouldn't be any concern about his effectiveness in the slot, and while he provides the Packers with another option there, it's in the best interest of this defense that he stays put as a primary boundary cornerback.
For starters, he was a second-team All-Pro on the boundary in 2020, and for a team that is lacking reliable depth at that position, when Alexander is inside, that means Green Bay's two boundary cornerbacks would be Kevin King and either Josh Jackson, Ka'dar Hollman, Stanford Samuels, or KeiVare Russell--or at least that's what it would look like at this moment.
My expectations are that Alexander will still take a bulk of his snaps out wide -- as he should -- but with him moving around more in this new defense, we will see him in the slot more often as well.
Darnell Savage
The nickel position is not foreign to Darnell Savage. He took his fair share of snaps there at Maryland, and a few draft analysts thought he could carve out a role as a nickel corner in the NFL. In fact, he's taken over 200 snaps there in each of his first two seasons with Green Bay--and he was pretty darn good as well.
This past season out of 85 eligible cornerbacks and safeties, Savage ranked fourth in snaps per reception out of the slot and ninth in snaps per target. On top of that, his passer rating when targeted of 58.0 also ranked fourth.
With that said, as impressive as Savage has looked, he is truly at his best when he is able to roam closer to the line of scrimmage; that is when we see him flying around making plays. That isn't to say he wouldn't be successful taking on a larger role in the slot; however, to maximize his skill-set, it's best to move him around rather than pigeonholing him to one position.
Free Agency
It's been a fairly quiet free agency for the Green Bay Packers, at least in terms of outside additions. Right now, they sit at about $3 million under the salary cap and have the option to create more room through an extension for Davante Adams or restructuring Aaron Rodgers' deal.
While I still expect them to make another signing, they are running out of options when it comes to addressing the nickel corner position. Many of the big names have signed elsewhere, with a few of the top remaining players being DJ Hayden and Brian Poole.
Of the options that the Green Bay Packers have, this route seems the least likely.
The Draft
Fortunately for the Packers, this is a loaded cornerback class, and given the state of the position, they should leave with at least two of them. The big names at the position that are drawing a lot of the attention are all boundary corners, but a few slot options in the early rounds include Jevon Holland from Oregon, Elijah Molden from Washington, and Aaron Robinson from UCF.
Preferably, I would rather see Green Bay attack the boundary early on in the draft because I feel more confident in having Sullivan, Savage, and Alexander as options inside than what I do about the Packers CB2 depth.
Ultimately, I believe the answer to this question is a combination of what has been discussed. As of now, I expect Sullivan to take a bulk of those snaps, but we could see his total snap count reduced with an increase in playing time at the nickel for Alexander and Savage. And if Green Bay does add a star cornerback in the draft early on, then I wouldn't be surprised to see that player added to the mix either.
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__________________________
Born and raised in Green Bay, WI and I still call it home. After my family, watching the Packers, sharing my opinions on the team through my writing and interacting with other fans is my greatest passion. You can find me on Twitter at @Paul_Bretl.
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Comments (28)
albert999
March 29, 2021 at 11:27 am
Give up both 4th rounders to get Patrick Surtain II Alabama
Duneslick
March 29, 2021 at 12:44 pm
Not gonna happen. Surtain looks like a first round pick.
marpag1
March 29, 2021 at 12:00 pm
So they could use someone already on the roster, sign a free agent, or draft someone. Cool. I feel enlightened.
PatrickGB
March 29, 2021 at 01:31 pm
Or do all of the above. Having lots of options and more players to pick from is good.
stockholder
March 29, 2021 at 01:56 pm
Panic. The Fan base is now panic. Either we had the team to go to the super-Bowl, or we didn't. You guys have melted Down. Taking a CB right off the bat is a stupid move in a deep class. Especially if it's for the slot. Especially since your top CBs play outside. So you want to Reach. DUMB! The best guy I see for the slot is Molden. But heaven forbid we take a guy from Wash. And since no one brings up Kary Vincent or Trill Williams. I will. Not to mention a few others that come from small schools. Then there was Micheal Hyde. Casey Hayward. Guys you remember so well, but we couldn't find a reason to keep them. And NOW. All of a sudden because a class is deep at CB. We must get the top dog. Thats just Sad. A 1 and 3 gone again. No wonder were one and Done. Life afters Rodgers isn't going to be any different. Except then you'll want another Qb, And another and another. They say history repeats itself. But you don't care. You just want your way. Even if the arrow points down.
PeteK
March 29, 2021 at 02:57 pm
Panic, dumb, sad, that pretty much describes your rant . Take it easy, it's not the end of the world if the Pack drafts a CB first. It could work out that we improve our D greatly. It's a game dominated by passers, so we need CBs. A run stopper will be there in the 3rd round>
Coldworld
March 29, 2021 at 05:54 pm
Drafting at your greatest position if need is not stupid. Saying it is may well be.
Depending how the draft falls it may or may not happen. If it’s not a reach, it will be logical.
LeotisHarris
March 29, 2021 at 06:50 pm
You're right. I don't think any of us could ever deny how well we remember Michael Hyde.
CoachDino
March 30, 2021 at 04:05 pm
All Ive been hearing about is Hayward and Hyde. If I remember correctly hayward was always hurt and though we liked Hyde he was considered a step too slow and maybe a better safety candidate. So theres a pretty good probability that Scheme and health are a big reason those guys thrived after leaving GB. I liked both of them when hear but it wan't like people were up in arms when the weren't resigned for big contracts.
I do agree with Slot not being he ideal CB value. IMO its time to look for guys who can do both. Barry was all about different skill sets being a factor as to why JA can't follow the opponents best rec. Point being if the #1 rec goes into the slot can our slot guy cover on the boundary? Can our Boundary guys cover in the slot? Aaron Robinson, Paulson, Tre Brown, Keith Taylor are guys that can possible do both.
Lphill
March 29, 2021 at 03:07 pm
Can’t depend on a rookie corner to play opposite Alexander , if King is the other boundary guy again we are in trouble, the Packers Saints game was on last night when Brees has a third and short he got the first down throwing at King who was already playing behind the first down marker then back peddles on the snap .
stockholder
March 29, 2021 at 04:29 pm
I saw that. But being he played with injuries. Also why did pettine think that was OK? And where was Savage? I believe they needed Savage to help Sullivan. When Greene was in there. Savage stayed back.
Coldworld
March 29, 2021 at 05:57 pm
Barry may not be the answer but Pettine was terrible or we really had utter disasters at depth at CB, or both.
Lphill
March 29, 2021 at 07:18 pm
Pettine had a lot to do with the defensive miscues .
PeteK
March 29, 2021 at 07:25 pm
LP, It worked out well in 95 with Newsome ,who was picked at 32.
jeremyjjbrown
March 30, 2021 at 10:59 am
Craig and Greg are not related.
PeteK
March 30, 2021 at 05:22 pm
I know, it's uncanny not only in their names but in the similar needs of the team then and now. Hope the same result.
stormin
March 29, 2021 at 08:00 pm
Just watched the Saints game of last year and King was pathetic, Brees knew it and ate him alive 1
Lphill
March 29, 2021 at 03:07 pm
Can’t depend on a rookie corner to play opposite Alexander , if King is the other boundary guy again we are in trouble, the Packers Saints game was on last night when Brees has a third and short he got the first down throwing at King who was already playing behind the first down marker then back peddles on the snap .
stockholder
March 29, 2021 at 04:34 pm
Truthfully they might consider a Safety to replace Greene and Sullivan. Ambray Thomas didn't play last year. He's not a bad choice for the outside later. (As long as any Rookie will sit.)
Coldworld
March 30, 2021 at 08:19 am
We are going to see picks that reflect what Barry wants. I’m not entirely clear on what attributes he seeks in his center field DBs.
Greene was a safety (and might yet be back as one). It is interesting that, despite the premise in the article, the section on Sullivan seems to support him being better than assumed.
To me, we won’t fix the middle without improving the DL. Pettine’s scheme was premised on penetration originally, by his own admission. When he started playing light and conservatively it made it extremely difficult for everyone behind since they were asked to pick up the pieces and cover at the same time.
The concern I have is that Barry seems to have a similar approach and to prefer similar player types. If that turns out to be untrue, I will be very happy.
As to the Star or whatever one calls it, if he is a CB type like Sullivan, don’t expect him to be a primary run stopper if you want him to succeed and stay healthy. It simply won’t happen.
So how does Barry intend to change that dynamic? It’s far from clear to me from Barry’s statements and history. Perhaps the draft will give us some insight.
flackcatcher
March 30, 2021 at 04:19 pm
I'm not so sure of that. Barry is a late hire, I like to know how long his contract is. And under Gutekunst, Pettine ran a undermanned DL group. The one thing we do know is Green Bay has a need for CB and Slot. As you say CW, we'll have to wait for the draft. More questions than answers...
Dagger
March 29, 2021 at 09:31 pm
Asante Samuel of FSU would be a great Star pick for the pack or Molden in the second. CB2 pick could be Newsome of Northwestern..... lots of choices but I still want Elijah Moore in the first as a slot WR....that would be sweet.
BAMABADGER
March 29, 2021 at 10:27 pm
Draft Barmore at 29 and the DB play improves immediately
CoachDino
March 30, 2021 at 07:49 pm
and ILB.
If someone falls that is a complete stud I'm ok with trading up a bit but I don't see any Mocks with the Top 3 CBs dropping into the mid 20's or tier 1 OT/WR. But I do see Baremore often around 21-25. He's one guy I would trade up for as there is not another Stud IDL in the draft. Plenty of solid IDL that maybe take a shot at in rd 3-4 but Baremore is a 3 down difference maker. He's a bigger version on KC. Then throw Keke in there and you have 3 DL that can play both the run and rush the passer. I always thought Lancaster was fine against the run but was less than zero in Pass Rush.
Biggest issue in this draft for packers IMO is IF you believe that Turner/Yosh/Jenkins are not are not the OT of the future plus worry about this year and Baks Time stable to return than OT needs to be a 1st pick. maybe trade down into early second if OT's are still on the board.
Bear
March 30, 2021 at 01:20 am
Paul: Packers have 5 other CBs on their roster.......why aren’t they discussed.
Poor research....
Coldworld
March 30, 2021 at 08:06 am
I agree, Gute uses the PS differently from TT. He does stash players he sees as potential assets not mere depth. There likely are roster members on last year’s practice squad. Whether one or more CBs are realistic candidates, I have no idea.
scoonie_penn
March 30, 2021 at 05:55 am
Here we go boyz and girls, a LOADED draft at a position of need. Just like last year when GB was able to draft a top level WR to fortify its... oh wait, GB doesn't care about that kinda stuff, gotta get the top RAS players at any position.
jeremyjjbrown
March 30, 2021 at 11:22 am
The Packers FO didn't agree that WR was the position of need that fans thought.
Edit: It took a pivot table to get the numbers but GB had the 10th most product WR group by yards in 2020.
4904 KC
4843 HOU
4786 BUF
4776 TB
4620 ATL
4511 DAL
4449 LAC
4383 LV
4311 SF
4299 GB
4265 MIN
4245 SEA
4186 IND
4183 LA
4129 CAR
4129 PIT
4099 ARI
3955 JAX
3945 NO
3929 DET
3925 CHI
3909 MIA
3826 TEN
3796 WAS
3793 CIN
3728 PHI
3689 CLE
3673 DEN
3260 NYG
3124 NE
2919 BAL
2910 NYJ