Green Bay Packers: Could Eric Stokes start over Kevin King in 2021?

Could Green Bay Packers first-round pick Eric Stokes beat out a returning Kevin King for the second starting cornerback spot in 2021?

Eric Stokes became the latest first-round pick by the Green Bay Packers in late April, though the selection was largely overshadowed by the burgeoning Aaron Rodgers drama. The former Georgia cornerback was widely considered a top-64 player in the 2021 draft class but, after he blazed in the 40-yard dash, he shot up draft boards to eventually becoming the No. 29 overall pick.

Regardless of if anyone thought cornerback should’ve been the Packers’ focus in the first round, it was a clear need. Jaire Alexander has established himself already as a top-notch player at the position in the NFL. However, Kevin King, who re-signed in Green Bay this offseason, has failed to develop as the franchise hoped when they drafted him in the second round. And the depth beyond that is replacement-level at best.

Thus, Stokes filled a position of need. But as a player who had concerns about his run defense and playmaking ability, there were questions about if he could supplant King as the starter. According to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, however, he may be on track to doing so.

In an ESPN+ (subscription required) NFL Nation report on 2021 first-round picks, Demovsky noted a pick-six Stokes had off Jordan Love that showcased his physical talent before saying that the UGA product could end up as the starter opposite of Alexander if his trajectory continues from OTAs and minicamp.

At the very least, Eric Stokes gives the Green Bay Packers more options at cornerback.

Looking at the best-case scenario, there is indeed a world in which Stokes is a starting cornerback for the Packers in the 2021 season. He’s fast enough, quick enough and simply talented enough to be that type of player in year one. And given what we’ve seen from King to this point, there isn’t the highest bar for the rookie to clear.

Having said that, rave reviews out of offseason workouts are commonplace. Even if the work from a player was positive, it can be overblown at this point as everyone is excited about potential. We haven’t yet seen Stokes fully put on the pads and line up against Davante Adams or Allen Lazard or otherwise in practice. That matters for projecting a starter.

Furthermore and in a similar vein, one of the big issues with Stokes coming into the draft was a lack of physicality. Offseason workouts don’t necessarily bring that element of cornerback play — or the game as a whole — that much into focus, especially as much as training camp will. That will be a telling time for the rookie defensive back.

It’s entirely possible Eric Stokes starts for the Green Bay Packers in the 2021 season. However, the jury is most definitely still out. For as much as King has left to be desired, this is still an imperfect rookie with a lot left to prove. And until he proves it in full-blown practices, he hasn’t earned the CB2 job just yet.