Green Bay Packers: Bashaud Breeland should play major role
By Hunter Noll
The Green Bay Packers are waiting for Bashaud Breeland to see the field after signing him midseason. The cornerback should play a major role upon returning.
On Monday night in Week 6 the Green Bay Packers barely snuck by the San Francisco 49ers, winning 33-30. Close games have been a trend for the Packers this year as four games have been decided by one score. That’s led to a 3-2-1 record and hopes that they can come out of a week seven bye even stronger. A lot of that is on the shoulders of Bashaud Breeland.
Heading into the regular season, it seemed obvious that the Packers secondary had improved. Rookies Josh Jackson and Jaire Alexander were drafted and a number of young defensive backs were expected to grow. Meanwhile, Tramon Williams was brought in as a solid veteran presence who could still contribute.
This, combined with a solid pass rush, has led to the Packers ranking fourth in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game (211.8). What’s crazier is that the player that could potentially be their best cornerback has yet to appear in a game for them.
An injury to Davon House forced Green Bay to go hunting for another cornerback — and incredibly, Bashaud Breeland was still available on Sept. 25.
The cornerback did sign a three-year, $24-million deal with the Carolina Panthers in March, but failed his physical and the deal fell through. Despite the injury, this is surprising because Breeland is easily an above-average cornerback in the NFL.
Breeland is one of the most physical cornerbacks in the League and has 60 pass deflections in his four-year career. That includes a career-high 19 in 2017. Still just 26, it’s also safe to presume he’s entering his prime and could only get better from here. He’s yet to appear in a game for the Packers as he tries to get healthy though.
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The Green Bay Packers secondary has played above expectations to this point. That makes a healthy Bashaud Breeland that much more exciting, as he might just be their best cornerback.