The Green Bay Packers have kicked off their busy seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft with their first defensive back of the draft. With the 232nd overall pick, the Packers selected cornerback Carrington Valentine from Kentucky.
Analysis:
Carrington Valentine is a long cornerback with an aggressive play style and highly athletic traits. At 6’0, 193 pounds, Valentine worked as a boundary cornerback within a zone-heavy scheme at Kentucky. With an impressive 32 1/4 inch arm length, Valentine led Kentucky in passes defended last season.
A two-year starter, Valentine recorded 119 tackles, 17 pass deflections, two sacks, and one interception in his career. In 2022, Valentine played 88.84% of the snaps as an outside cornerback, according to Pro Football Focus.
Valentine proved his athleticism on the tape is legit during the pre-draft process. He recorded a 4.44 40-yard dash, 2.50 20-yard split, and a 39-inch vertical. Valentine was projected as a sixth-round pick but landed with the Packers in the seventh round.
Team Fit:
The Packers had a need going into this draft regarding the depth at the cornerback position. As the board continued to fall, the team was finally able to address the position with the 232nd overall pick.
Valentine should fit in nicely with defensive coordinator Joe Barry’s zone-heavy scheme in the secondary. The 21-year-old played at his best in zone coverage being able to use his instincts to react quickly to close space. He was always eager to jump slant routes however, his aggressiveness sometimes got the better of him.
As a junior, Valentine was utilized on kick coverage, punt coverage, and punt return teams. Therefore, he should be used immediately for Rich Bisaccia on special teams while being a depth player on defense.
He has a strong drive and is a super competitive player with a personality that coaches love. Valentine’s technique is underdeveloped at the position but he has a very high ceiling to grow into as a coverage cornerback in the secondary.
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Kole Noble is a lifelong Packers fan currently living in North Carolina and is a huge NFL Draft nut. You can follow him on twitter at @SlawSportsShow.
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