As the Green Bay Packers prepare for the 2023 season, there are a few areas of concern, the biggest one being the quarterback spot. How will Jordan Love react to not only being a starter for the first time but replacing a legend such as Aaron Rodgers?
Matt LaFleur and his staff are going to do everything in their power to ensure that he has as smooth of a transition as possible. That will include relying on the positional groups and players that have established players already.
One of those groups is the backfield, where Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon preside. They will be used early and often as the Packers will try and stay afloat until Love is ready to take on more responsibility.
Many people would say that the running back group is the strongest unit on the team. But, that isn’t what Mike Clay of ESPN believes. In his opinion, the strongest unit on the Packers heading into 2023 is their cornerback group.
“Jaire Alexander is one of the league’s best cornerbacks and anchors a terrific Green Bay CB room. Eric Stokes — a 2021 first-round pick — continues to develop after missing the second half of 2022 with a foot injury. Rasul Douglas has settled in as a solid, underrated corner. Keisean Nixon made some noise late last season and will make a play for primary slot duties.”
Alexander is not only one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, he is one of the best players, period. In a recent top-100 players ranking list that was revealed, Alexander came in at No. 21 overall and was the third-highest-ranked cornerback behind Sauce Gardner and Patrick Surtain II.
A foot injury has slowed down the development of Eric Stokes, but the team is still very excited about his development. He is the long-term answer for the Packers across from Alexander, but the veteran Rasul Douglas has done an excellent job of filling in for him.
Keisean Nixon is known more for his production on special teams as an elite kick return man. He led the NFL in kick returns, kick return yardage and had a 105-yard return for a touchdown. If he can provide anywhere near that kind of impact on defense, the Packers’ secondary becomes that much deeper and tougher to make plays against.
As long as this group remains healthy in 2023, they will be among the best pass defense units in the NFL.