After the Green Bay Packers announced Monday the post-June 1 release of cornerback Jaire Alexander, there has been understandable chatter about the state of the Packers’ cornerback room entering the week of mandatory minicamp. Some of that chatter includes intrigue, with receiver Bo Melton, a 2022 seventh-round draft pick, taking snaps at cornerback in practice Tuesday.
“We just thought that if there is somebody that can potentially do both, he would be that guy,” said Packers coach Matt LaFleur during his press conference Tuesday. “I think a lot of it is just from his production on (special) teams and just his ability to make plays on teams.”
With Alexander gone and Melton taking minicamp reps at cornerback, let’s examine the state of the Packers’ cornerback position, albeit much could change by July.
KEISEAN NIXON
The self-proclaimed No. 1 cornerback following the Packers’ Wild-Card loss to Philadelphia has made 34 starts at cornerback in his six seasons in Green Bay, which most notably includes his two All-Pro selections as the Packers’ kick returner. Nixon is entering the second year of a three-year, $18 million deal.
In 2023, Nixon was the Packers’ primary nickel corner and became an every-down defender in ’24. Last season, Nixon played 605 snaps of perimeter corner and 340 snaps of the slot. He totaled 88 tackles, 61 solo, with three sacks, three forced fumbles, one interception and seven passes defensed. Nixon allowed a 99.7 passing rating when targeted last season.
CARRINGTON VALENTINE
With Alexander’s injuries, Valentine has seen more action on the field, with 19 starts and 32 games in his first two seasons in the NFL. Last season, he played in 15 games, recording 32 tackles, two forced fumbles, two interceptions, and five passes defended. Valentine’s Pro Football Focus grade is 70.3, which ranks 46th out of 222 cornerbacks in the league, and a coverage grade of 74.4, which is listed 27th. Valentine is the prime candidate to work outside with Nixon, while newly acquired Nate Hobbs occupies the slot position.
NATE HOBBS
After four seasons with Las Vegas, Hobbs signed a four-year, $48 million contract with Green Bay in March. Like Alexander, Hobbs has battled his injury issues while with the Raiders, including missing 17 games over those four seasons.
Last year, Hobbs played 11 games, making seven starts. He totaled 49 tackles, five passes defended and one interception. Hobbs’ PFF grade is 61.4, ranked 110th of 222 corners. The question with Hobbs is if he can stay healthy.
JAVON BULLARD
Bullard is included on this list because he could be moved to cornerback, according to various media reports. Bullard played safety last season with 66 tackles and 46 receptions allowed, fifth-best of 171 safeties in the league, but allowed a 121.4 passer rating when targeted.
KAMAL HADDEN AND KALEN KING
Both spent time on the Packers’ practice squad in 2024. Hadden was selected in the sixth round, 211th overall, by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2024 NFL Draft. In his senior season at Tennessee, he started the first seven games of the season before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. He tallied 19 tackles and had three interceptions with one touchdown.
A Detroit, Michigan, native and four-star recruit coming out of high school, King was selected by the Packers with the 255th pick of the 2024 draft. He played 38 games with 23 starts in three seasons at Penn State. He totaled 82 tackles with three interceptions and 28 passes defensed during his college days. However, he reportedly entered Tuesday’s minicamp with a cast on his forearm, according to ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky.
MICAH ROBINSON
With King’s forearm status, it could mean more opportunities for Robinson, a 2025 seventh-round draft pick by the Packers. He played four years at Furman before concluding his college career at Tulane. At Furman, Robinson intercepted five passes over his last two seasons, with 17 passes defensed. In his one season at Tulane, he recorded 33 tackles and intercepted two passes, returning one for a touchdown.
ISAIAH DUNN, TYRON HERRING AND JOHNATHAN BALDWIN
Each is an undrafted free agent.
Baldwin played at UNLV for four seasons, from 2021-24, appearing in 44 games. At UNLV, he registered 211 tackles, 126 solo, 15 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks, six interceptions, 30 passes defensed, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. In 2024, he earned second-team all-Mountain West honors.
Dunn is a third-year player from Oregon State who was originally signed May 2021 by the New York Jets. He played in 12 games with one start as a rookie, recording eight tackles, two passes defensed and a tackle on special teams. After being released by the Jets, he had a short stint with Seattle, where he played five games and recorded two tackles before landing on injured reserve. The Seahawks released him in the summer of 2023.
Herring played at Dartmouth College from 2019-22 and completed his collegiate career at the University of Delaware from 2023-24. Herring played in 17 games in three seasons for the Big Green, registering 49 tackles, 33 solo, an interception, a tackle for a loss and four passes defensed. In two seasons with the Blue Hens, he played in 23 games with 72 tackles, 50 solo, four interceptions, 11 passes defensed, 3.5 tackles for a loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
GREGORY JUNIOR
Junior has some NFL experience after being drafted 197th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He played in 10 games for the Jaguars in 2022-23, recording 17 tackles, 11 solo, two tackles for a loss and a pass defensed. After being released by Jacksonville during the 2024 training camp, Junior spent time on the practice squads of the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans.
