Demetri Goodson Came to Play This Year

This has to be a make-or-break year for cornerback Demetri Goodson.

A sixth-round draft pick last season, Goodson did nothing to earn a roster spot other than being a sixth-round draft pick. He was outplayed in camp by Jumal Rolle, who actually did everything to earn a roster spot, but wasn’t given one. Goodson has openly admitted that he didn’t know what he was doing last year and was afraid to ask questions for fear of looking stupid.

True story.

In other words, Goodson was overwhelmed.

The Packers kept him anyway and Goodson played zero regular season snaps on defense.

This season might be a different story.

At least Goodson doesn’t sound overwhelmed.

“I feel like when I first got here, I was learning how to play corner. Now, I feel like I’m an actual cornerback,” Goodson said. “Playing cornerback isn’t just going out there and just covering guys. It’s a lot more thinking involved. I feel like I got 10 times smarter than I was last year. Last year, I was out here just holding people. Now, I’m thinking with the game.”

That’s great. Maybe that move to keep Goodson over Rolle will eventually make Big Ted look like the mad genius everyone pegs him to be.

There’s a long road ahead though.

Sure, the Packers lost two corners in free agency — Tramon Williams and Davon House. They also drafted two with their top two draft picks — Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins. They also have holdovers Sam Shields, Casey Hayward and Micah Hyde, who will be playing a lot more corner than safety this season.

The best news for Goodson is the Packers decided not to bring back veteran Jarrett Bush.

That means they’ll be looking for someone who can fill Bush’s substantial shoes on special teams. That’s how Goodson is going to make the team.

Show improvement and potential at corner, and be valuable on special teams.

If that doesn’t happen, then the Packers release Goodson and hope to holy hell that Rolle never amounts to anything.