We’re going to go with no, but stranger things have happened. If the Green Bay Packers had their way, we’re sure they’d love to see their three highest-drafted cornerbacks be their starters.
That would, of course, be 2017 second-round pick Kevin King and 2015 first and second-round picks Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins, both of whom are looking to bounce back from awful 2016 campaigns.
If nothing else, that would validate the front office and GM Ted Thompson for making those picks.
Most of us who watch the Packers on a regular basis see it this way. King, who isn’t even allowed to show up for work yet because his school is still in session, and veterans Davon House and LaDarius Gunter will compete for the two outside corner slots. Randall and Rollins, neither of whom is as physical as the other three, will compete for time inside.
Not everyone sees it that way, though. MMQB’s Andy Benoit is looking at the Packers today and he sees the cornerback battle shaping up this way.
33rd overall pick CB Kevin King will get every chance to start for #Packers. Randall and Rollins compete for other spot. House is fallback.
— Andy Benoit (@Andy_Benoit) June 7, 2017
We know King is going to get a chance to start. This is the not the first we’ve heard of that.
Beyond that, we’re going to disagree.
Gunter was the Packers’ best cornerback in 2016. He will at least get a chance to remain a starter and as a physical player, his spot is on the outside.
Randall has been playing primarily in the slot this offseason and Rollins historically has played there since he’s been a Packer. Who could forget him getting beat on the double move up the middle repeatedly last year?
In 2016, injuries to other players ultimately forced Rollins outside.
The point is, there are really three starting cornerback spots, since the Packers play nickel more than their base defense. We wouldn’t be totally surprised if Randall ended up in one of them. However, our bet is that spot will be in the slot.
It’s hard to see Rollins cracking that top three after last year’s performance. If he does, Randall would have to win a role outside over some combination of King, House and Gunter.
That’s tough for us to see right now, but this competition is definitely going to be fun.