Packers Land Secondary Help in Way Too Early 2025 Mock Draft

Heading into training camp in 2024, one area of potential concern for the Green Bay Packers is their secondary. More specifically, the cornerback position has a few question marks.

Health was a major concern in 2023 as Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes failed to remain healthy. As a result, Carrington Valentine and Corey Ballentine were pushed into major roles alongside slot corner Kiesean Nixon.

Adding some veteran depth to the position would be a good idea. Someone such as Stephon Gilmore would be ideal. Gilmore may not be Defensive Player of the Year caliber any longer, but he showed in 2023 with the Dallas Cowboys he has plenty left in the tank as a complementary player.

He would provide the team with elite insurance at cornerback in case Alexander and Stokes aren’t able to stay healthy. Someone such as Gilmore would also provide a veteran presence and someone for the younger players to rely on.

However, one thing that Gilmore of a veteran addition wouldn’t add is long-term availability. Anyone the Packers add at this point in the offseason would be for one season.

When considering that, it should come as no surprise that in a recent 2025 NFL Mock draft, the Packers came away with secondary help. At No. 25 in Doug Farrar of Touchdown Wire, the Packers land Ohio State cornerback Denzel Burke.

“If the Packers discover that their cornerback group needs to be amplified with personnel as well as scheme, there are few better options than Ohio State’s Denzel Burke.

Last season, Burke allowed 25 catches on 48 targets for 277 yards, 147 yards after the catch, one touchdown, one interception, seven pass breakups, and an opponent passer rating of 67.8. Most importantly, Burke has shown the kinds of press and match coverage attributes that are top priorities in today’s NFL,” Farrar wrote.

There is a lot of pressure on Stokes heading into 2024. The fifth-year option on his rookie contract was declined, meaning he is set to be a free agent after the season.

If he doesn’t show that he is worth retaining long-term, the Packers have a void opposite Alexander. There were some whispers earlier this offseason they could even look to move on from their No. 1 corner, so adding a player of Burke’s caliber in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft would make a lot of sense.

Burke is an explosive athlete. A converted wide receiver, he has elite ball skills for a defensive back as well. With a little more refinement and development in 2024, the Buckeye corner is a name to keep an eye on.

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