BREAKING: Packers Select CB Kalen King with the 255th pick in the 7th Round

The Packers really did make 11 picks (and managed to move up a few times while doing it). Their final pick was cornerback Kalen King from Penn State University. King was projected by some to go in the first round prior to a poor 2023 season.

Analysis

King is a below average athlete with averagish tape. He was a well-known recruit and flashes over his first couple seasons caused many to mock him in their way too early first round mock. His 40-yard dash was poor (4.61) and his flying twenty (1.95), the time it takes to go the final 20 yards in the 40, was the worst of any corner.

His best bet for staying on an NFL roster is probably moving to full time slot corner, a Shemar Jean-Charles type move, or a tight end eraser type of third safety.

All that said, King did have a great 2022 season (we know Gute is addicted to players who were great a season ago). If he can replicate that performance and it turns out he was hampered by some sort of issue when he ran that horrific 40, he could have a shot in the long-term at being a player on this defense.

Kalen King's fall has made me sad, but in round five as a Shemar Jean-Charles dart throw in the nickel position, I'd be super in.

Kalen King in a 13-game college schedule in 2022: 18 PBU, 3 INT, 1 FF, 1 FR

All Packers DBs in 2023: 28 PBU, 4 INT, 2 FF, 1 FR https://t.co/oGowT2Yxty
— Ross Uglem (@RossUglem) March 19, 2024

Team Fit

Unfortunately for King, the Packers already added four safeties this offseason (one is also a slot specialist, and one is also a tight end eraser) and gave slot corner Keisean Nixon a big contract. For now, he will likely have to settle for special teams if he makes the 53-man roster.

Mike Price is a lifelong Packers fan currently living in Utah. You can follow him on twitter at @themikeprice.

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