Green Bay Packers cornerback Eric Stokes remained injury-free ahead of Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears. However, Stokes played only four defensive snaps in the Packers’ narrow 20-19 victory.
Back in October, I wrote that it was starting to look like the beginning of the end for the former first-round pick. The injuries Stokes suffered in 2022 and 2023, which circumscribed him to just 12 appearances, have clearly affected his play. According to data from NFL Pro and Pro Football Focus, from a statistical standpoint, he was one of the worst corners in the league.
Stokes’ indigent performance ultimately led to a dramatic reduction in his playing time. He played only eight snaps on defense in Green Bay’s Week 7 victory over the Houston Texans. He recorded 21 catches the following week and 37 in a Week 9 loss to the Detroit Lions that did not include starting corner Jaire Alexander.
Coming off the bye week, the Packers were healthier than they had been all season. Alexander was deemed well enough to play, but only lasted 10 snaps before his knee injury re-aggravated. Instead of turning to Stokes to replace him, Green Bay placed 2023 seventh-rounder Carrington Valentine on the team.
After a promising debut season, Valentine competed with Stokes for the job alongside Alexander throughout the summer. The Packers ultimately went with Stokes to start the regular season.
Once it became clear that Stokes wasn’t the same player, Green Bay began experimenting with different secondary groups. Rookie safety Javon Bullard started spending more time on the field, which caused Keisean Nixon to retreat to the outside. Then, after Evan Williams totaled 10 tackles and two pass breakups against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 5, the team added another rookie who deserved more snaps.
Ultimately, this meant fewer snaps for both Stokes and Valentine. However, when asked about the cornerback room before the Rams game, defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley had only good things to say about Valentin.
“I know (Valentine) can handle it,” Hafley said. “I have complete trust in him. I know you’ll start seeing more of him.
On Sunday, Hafley kept his word, and Valentine played a season-high 64 defensive snaps. Valentine turned in a solid performance, setting a team-high nine receptions and allowing three receptions on four targets with his range of 30 receiving yards per PFF.
Fortunately, Alexander was not seriously injured and is expected to return to action sooner or later. Still, if the Packers don’t have a top cornerback for Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers, it’s probably sheltered to assume the team will start Valentine instead of Stokes.
Stokes is now in his fourth season and has shown the coaches everything he can do. After this season, Green Bay is no longer invested in him as they declined his fifth-year option. Valentine, on the other hand, is an intriguing development project with two years left on his rookie contract.
So while it appears Stokes’ time in Green Bay is coming to an end, the team has a chance to see what awaits them in Valentine.
