Back in February, I wrote an article about the Packers secondary and how, regardless of what Green Bay did at the second cornerback spot, the defensive backs were still poised for success behind second-team All-Pro Jaire Alexander and safety tandem Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage. Now that we’ve got a clearer picture of what the secondary will look like heading into the season, that still rings true. 

Not only did the Packers re-sign former second-round pick Kevin King to a one-year prove it deal, but the team also used a first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft on cornerback Eric Stokes. In addition to King and Stokes, nickel corner Chandon Sullivan signed his restricted free agent tender to return with the team and has been the leader in the clubhouse playing the coveted “star” role in new defensive coordinator Joe Barry’s defense. Beyond Sullivan, the Packers also drafted fifth-round cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles out of Appalachian State.

With Alexander, King, Sullivan, and Stokes all roster locks, and Jean-Charles a safe bet as a fifth-round pick, that likely only leaves one or two spots left in the CB room. While eyes have been on Josh Jackson for most of training camp, he struggled in his first preseason action against the Texans and allowed seven completions on 10 targets for 91 total yards. 

Enter second-year pro Kabion Ento who made the initial 53-man roster out of training camp last season before being placed on injured reserve. He’s been explosive all camp and had one of the defense’s best performances against Houston. Per Pro Football Focus, Ento was Green Bay’s highest graded defensive player with an overall grade of 82.4, and he finished the game with the team’s lone interception.

By all accounts, Ento is pushing Jackson for playing time and per Tom Silverstein, even appears to be taking snaps over Jackson in camp: 

CB Kabion Ento moving up the charts it appears. He and Eric Stokes were the No. 2s ahead of Josh Jackson. The pair received reps with the 1s as part of the corner rotation.

— Tom Silverstein (@TomSilverstein) August 16, 2021

In the safety room, plenty is up in the air behind the dynamic duo of Amos and Savage. With Amos getting more looks in the box and Savage pining for some opportunities at the star role, that leaves plenty of snaps in the defensive backfield for the rest of the unit. 2016 third-round pick Will Redmond was getting the initial looks at the star position in OTAs before a foot injury landed him on the non-football injury list during training camp. In his absence, both TCU safeties Vernon Scott and Innis Gaines have impressed.

The undrafted Gaines has put together one of the strongest camp performances to date, and former seventh-round pick Scott looked explosive in his first preseason action. Don’t count out Henry Black, either, who spent most of last season on the practice squad outside of his memorable forced fumble in Week 7 against the Texans. 

Gaines had one near-interception against Houston while Scott and Black both finished the night with over five tackles. They also both got looks all over the defense. Per Ryan Wood, it was the most Scott had played since college: 

Vernon Scott, a seventh-round pick last year, on getting his first preseason action last week: "I don't even know how many snaps I played Saturday, but my body feels it."

Scott played 64 snaps vs. Texans. That was 85%. It's the most snaps he's had since he was in college at TCU.

— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) August 16, 2021

Numbers-wise, it’s hard to imagine Gaines, Scott, and Black all making the 53-man roster unless the Packers decide to move on from Redmond. But the trio is sure to make it a difficult decision for Green Bay’s front office with two preseason games left to play. 

While Alexander, Amos, and Savage lead the way and keep the secondary in good hands going into the 2021 season, and players like King, Sullivan, and Stokes round out the starting rotation, there’s also a lot to like about the depth that exists behind the franchise’s notable starters, even if they won’t be taking a large number of snaps on defense.