The Green Bay Packers cornerback group might finally be back at full force. Oft-injured Kevin King will look to return this week after missing two games with a groin injury.
King was listed as a full participant in Wednesday’s practice. Barring a setback, that suggests he’ll play against Detroit. If he’s at full strength, the Packers can use him. Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford has torched the Packers lately.
In his past five meetings with the Packers, Matthew Stafford is averaging 327 passing yards with 12 touchdowns and two interceptions. He’s passed for at least 323 yards in four games in a row against Green Bay.
— Jamey Eisenberg (@JameyEisenberg) October 3, 2018
The question is does King get his job on the outside back? Jaire Alexander has played well in that role in King’s absence.
Some have suggested King is the Packers best cornerback. He isn’t. Alexander is.
We like King just fine, minus the injuries — two shoulder injuries and the groin in a little over one season. Not all people share that opinion, however.
Pro Football Focus has the Packers cornerbacks graded in this order through four weeks.
- Jaire Alexander: 76.5
- Tramon Williams: 67.5
- Tony Brown: 63.2
- Josh Jackson: 59.2
- Kevin King: 56.3
- Davon House: 28.8
We know the Packers are still high on King, so we’re sure he will get his spot on the outside back. That likely puts Alexander in the slot. It also probably means he’ll see a good deal of Golden Tate.
Tate has 28 catches for 389 yards and three touchdowns this season.
In addition to King’s potential return, the Packers might also trot out recent signee Bashaud Breeland for the first time this week. Breeland was signed after the team put Davon House on injured reserve.
So the Packers could have a cornerback lineup that looks something like this.
- Tramon Williams
- Kevin King
- Jaire Alexander
- Josh Jackson
- Bashaud Breeland
- Tony Brown
Brown is a former undrafted free agent that was brought up off the practice squad when Muhammad Wilkerson went to injured reserve. The odd man of the group, for sure.
That’s a pretty strong group, nonetheless. One could argue the best group of cornerbacks in the league.
Hell of a job there, you wily bastard Brian Gutekunst.