Tom Brady went to work on Kevin King in the NFC Championship Game.
Brady picked on Chandon Sullivan throughout the game, as well.
The Green Bay Packers clearly believed they needed to improve their secondary to keep up with the Super Bowl champion Buccaneers — as well as other elite offenses. So in the first round of the NFL Draft Thursday, the Packers selected cornerback Eric Stokes of Georgia with the 29th overall pick.
The 6-foot-1, 194-pound Stokes is a former high school track star who ran the 40-yard dash in 4.29 seconds at Georgia’s pro day. That time is believed to be the fastest by any player at a pro day in the 2021 draft.
“As we went through the process today, he was kind of sticking out like a sore thumb on our board and we didn't really think he had a chance to get there,” Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said of Stokes. “We thought maybe when we started, there might be an outside chance, but as the board fell and some of those corners went off early, we weren't really sure if we were gonna be able to, he was gonna get to us, and we were really excited that he did.”
Stokes is a rare athlete whose vertical jump was recorded at 38.5 inches, while he posted a 10-8 broad jump.
Stokes started 25 games in three seasons at Georgia and finished his career with four interceptions, 26 passes defensed and 78 tackles. Stokes didn't have an interception his first two seasons, but had four in 2020 — although most of those came on gifts from opposing quarterbacks.
“You’re really going to get a person that’s hungrier than ever,” Stokes said. “I was always the underdog. I was always person that was like people just didn’t believe was here and all that stuff.
“You’re definitely going to get a person that’s more hungrier than ever and coming in and doing anything that he can to help out the team. It doesn’t matter what it is, I’m going to come in, do everything that I can do and just keep improving as a player, because I know for a fact that I really want to help this team win.”
Scouts believe Stokes can mirror receivers from a press position. But he can get “grabby” at the top of the route and doesn’t always play to his timed speed.
Stokes has the ability to play outside or in the slot. He’s a liability in the run game, though, and opponent’s will look to run directly at him.
Stokes faced four receivers that went in the top-20 picks of this draft: LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase, Alabama’s Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith, and Florida’s Kadarius Toney. The rigors of the SEC should have Stokes ready for many of the things he’ll see in the NFL.
“Oh, man, I feel I always held my own throughout the whole year, throughout everything, throughout all of them,” Stokes said. “It helped me even more, gave me the confidence and showed me everything.
“I know for a fact I’ve already played against NFL-type wide receivers and all that stuff in the SEC. I believe it don’t get better from a college standpoint than the SEC. Going against these wide receivers day in and day out it made me ready for the NFL. I know for a fact I’ve already been preparing for this the last four years. I’m just ready to come in now.”
Opposing quarterbacks had a passer rating of 93.8 against the Packers last year, which ranked 13th overall. While cornerback Jaire Alexander is one of the best in the business, King and Sullivan have been exposed.
Green Bay hopes the speedy Stokes solves some of those issues.
“I think we’re right at the tipping point of being a dominant, dominant defense,” Gutekunst said.
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Green Bay Packers Hope Speedy Draft Pick Eric Stokes Will Make Their Secondary Elite - Forbes
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