The Green Bay Packers have invested a lot of draft capital into their defense, particularly their secondary. However, most of those picks have not panned out and they could be parting ways with their 2021 first-round pick this offseason.
While listing Packers players that are on the hot seat, FanSided’s Freddie Boston predicted that Eric Stokes’ future “almost certainly” is not with the Packers.
“Declining his fifth-year option last spring proved the Packers weren’t fully confident, but his struggles are likely far worse than they feared. Per PFF, Stokes has allowed 301 yards and three touchdowns with a 108.8 passer rating in his coverage while recording no pass breakups or interceptions,” wrote Boston. “Stokes’ awful PFF coverage grade of 53.3 ranks 154th among 209 cornerbacks. His overall defensive grade is even worse, ranking 159th.”
Stokes was the 29th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. He looked promising as a rookie, but the University of Georgia product has dealt with injuries and has never blossomed into the shutdown corner the Packers had hoped for. He played in just 12 games his second and third seasons combined.
This season, even with the injury to Jaire Alexander and the absence of Rasul Douglas, he still has struggled to earn playing time. He has played in just 54% of all defensive snaps this season. The Packers could target corners in the 2025 NFL Draft or free agency. Stokes will be a free agent after the season, and it’s unlikely he will be back with the Packers.
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