The Green Bay Packers have entered almost every NFL Draft with the same narrative for over a decade: they need another cornerback. The snow melts, the schedule is released, and Packers supporters everywhere begin discussing who defensive back the team should target this time. It has become a yearly ritual of spring in Wisconsin.
What's funny? The data supports it. Every year, the Packers have continuously spent draft money on defensive backs, particularly cornerbacks.
Looking at the Packers’ draft classes from 2018 through 2024, the pattern is unmistakable. They have selected at least one defensive back in every single draft, often multiple. For example:
2018: Jaire Alexander (CB, Round 1) and Josh Jackson (CB, Round 2)
2019: Darnell Savage (DB, Round 1) and Ka’dar Hollman (DB, Round 6)
2020: Vernon Scott (DB, Round 7)
2021: Eric Stokes (CB, Round 1) and Shemar Jean‑Charles (DB, Round 5)
2022: Tariq Carpenter (DB, Round 7)
2023: Carrington Valentine (DB, Round 7) and Anthony Johnson (DB, Round 7)
2024: Javon Bullard (DB, Round 2), Evan Williams (DB, Round 4), Kitan Oladapo (DB, Round 5), and Kalen King (DB, Round 7)
Whether it is due to the modern NFL landscape changing over time and gradually needing to adapt to speed on the opposing side. Or perhaps multiple defensive coordinators in the last decade, from Mike Pettine to Joe Barry, Jeff Hafley, to now Jonathon Gannon.
Injuries have been a constant:
Kevin King missed large chunks of multiple seasons
Jaire Alexander has had multiple multi‑week absences
Eric Stokes has barely played since 2022
Depth players like Shemar Jean‑Charles and Ka’dar Hollman struggled to stay healthy or consistent
Development is not a given:
Cornerback is one of the hardest positions to project from college to the NFL. Even high picks can bust, and late‑rounders can surprise.
The Packers have experienced both:
Hits: Jaire Alexander,
Misses: Josh Jackson, Quinten Rollins
Incomplete due to injuries: Kevin King, Eric Stokes
To be Determined: Carrington Valentine
Having drafted 20+ defensive backs since 2015, more than any other position except offensive line. Green Bay has continually gone to the well hoping to hit the jackpot on the position, having more luck in doing so in the safety area rather than the cornerback room.
The question has become deserved, is this more of a development issue than anything else? Without a doubt, players selected in the first round playing the cornerback position put together enough tape and have been scouted closely enough to warrant such selection. The issue is, why isn’t the skill level progressing from that time?
Here’s to hoping Jonathon Gannon brings in a new energy that can get the most out of Packer investments on current defensive backs, and those Green Bay looks at this 2026 NFL Draft. He’s been around players who certainly have seen that gradual progression.
Gannon directly coached Indianapolis Colts cornerbacks from 2018-2020, his most hands‑on CB development role.
Kenny Moore II – Became one of the NFL’s best slot corners under Gannon, this group produced multiple top‑10 finishes in takeaways and interceptions during Gannon’s tenure.
With the Eagles, Gannon would lead the Eagles to the #1 passing defense in 2022 with the help of players like Darius Slay (’22 Pro Bowler) and James Bradberry (’22 2nd Team All-Pro).
Presumably so, Green Bay will target the defensive back area once again this month, likely a cornerback room with their current safeties being very well-rounded. No matter who Green Bay targets, the hope certainly should be in development that leads to the position no longer being one of need.