The Green Bay Packers need help at cornerback. While they signed Nate Hobbs in free agency, they lost Eric Stokes, Corey Ballentine, and Robert Rochell, leaving them thin on depth.
Hobbs should start alongside Keisean Nixon in Green Bay’s base defense. Jaire Alexander’s future remains uncertain, but if he returns, those three should lead the secondary in nickel packages. Still, regardless of Alexander’s status, cornerback is a position the Packers must address in the draft.
There are several intriguing options in the draft, including Jahdae Barron and Trey Amos, whom the Packers could target early. However, one Day 3 prospect checks many of the boxes Green Bay looks for in a defensive back.
Darien Porter is an athletic prospect with significant upside. He posted a 9.99 Relative Athletic Score, ranking 5th out of 2,752 cornerbacks from 1987 to 2025. However, he would be 28 by the time his rookie contract expires, which is not ideal.
Porter’s athleticism, the premium nature of his position, and the Packers' need at cornerback should check some boxes for Green Bay. However, he played just 327 snaps as a true cornerback in college, meaning while he offers high upside, his college production is less than ideal.
He could be an appealing Day 3 target for the Packers if he slides down the board. Although his athletic profile is worthy of a top-100 pick, Green Bay likely won’t target him that early. If he’s available in the middle rounds, the Packers could add valuable depth by bringing him in. Porter would begin as a rotational piece in camp but has the upside to grow into a starter in nickel or dime packages.
Porter’s blend of length and athleticism allows him to challenge receivers in press coverage, a key trait in Jeff Hafley’s scheme, emphasizing physicality at the line of scrimmage to disrupt routes early. His ability to jam receivers and stay in phase downfield could make him an intriguing developmental piece in a defense that values aggressive coverage.
Green Bay shouldn’t spend a top-100 pick on him. However, if he’s available on Day 3, drafting him he’d be a calculated risk—one with high upside and minimal downside.
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