Green Bay Packers rejected the Fifth Year option on the corner of Eric Stokes, which will now be an unlimited free agent when his contract officially expires in March.
Stokes, the first round of 2021, had his professional career of derailment of injury, but in 2024 a full season came out.
Will Packers bring him back or decide to move on?
Here are some reasons and against Stokes again, and what would we do if we were the Packers this season:
Grounds
– After two harassed injuries, the Stokes season played in all 17 matches without injuries in the 2024 season. Like Christian Watson, Stokes consulted with UW-Madison in the period out of season to assist in repairing cushioned tissue injuries in his tendons. Maybe his injuries are already a past.
-Stokes is the choice of the first round 2021, which was perfect during its debut season. Packers can believe that he is able to return to these levels as soon as season 2025.
– Stokes enjoyed a pleasant episode of the game at the end of the season. It allowed only six fishing for 22 jardy, playing more than half of the total defense during the episode of four matches between 13-16 weeks.
– Will Stokes have a sturdy market at a free agency? Most likely not. Several main injuries and so much the 2024 season will scare many teams. It is possible that he will be forced to sign a inexpensive, annual offer on 2025.
– Packers can lose Jaire Alexander, and both Corey Balrentine and Robert Rochell are free agents. A enormous turnover is possible if Stokes or one of the other free agents is not stopped.
Reasons against
– Stokes left eight games in 2022 and 14 matches in 2023. The risk of injury – despite the vigorous season 2024 – is still very real. He dealt with a significant leg injury in 2022.
– Stokes has not broken the pass from the debut season. He played in 29 uncomplicated matches without winning football. The defense of Jeff Haffa wants their eyes to football and players without take -out instincts, and Stokes really lacks the playmaker.
“Tell the fact that Stokes did not force Fouble, recovered Fumble or recorded a bag in his career and has only one career attack on losses, and clear abilities to play is not part of Stokes.
– Stokes resigned from three applications in 2024. Over the past three seasons, Stokes allowed seven exploit without interception, with an assessment of passers -by over 120.0 on its reach.
-Stokes had an elite speed coming out from Georgia, but he lacks the elite ability to change the direction, and the injuries probably weakened some of his explosives.
– Packers do not perceive him as a preferred player in Cornerback. In the finals of the season, Stokes played only five snaps. During losing in the Playoff phase in Philadelphia, he was only on the pitch by one snap.
– Although his market may not be sturdy, only one team requires that its price exceed what Packers will consider. Stokes was the choice of the first round, and the teams often willingly give the second chance the first round.
What would I do
Packers seem ready to go. With everyone (except Jaire Alexander) Healthy, Packers preferred to play Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine on the outside and Javon Bullard in machines to the end last season. Perhaps Packers will consider restoring Stokes to the perimeter competition, especially after he went through the 2024 season without injury. But why? Divide looks best on both sides. Packers must start the depth of building on the draft, and Stokes could take advantage of the novel start elsewhere. Potentially the loss of Alexander and Stokes in the same season would not be perfect in turnover, but the losses should force Packers to invest in this premium position.
