Trade Update: Green Bay Packers Linked to Cornerback They Missed Out on in 2021 NFL Draft

Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. (26) in called for pass interference on a throw to Green Bay Packers wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (13) during their football game Sunday, November 19, 2023, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers defeated the Chargers 23-20. Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

The Green Bay Packers have a variety of needs that they need to address this offseason.

Of course, the position that most fans and analysts point to is wide receiver, as Christian Watson is going to be out for most of the 2025 NFL season after tearing his ACL in Week 18 against the Chicago Bears.

Additionally, other Green Bay wide receivers struggled with drops in 2024, with three of them having drop percentages between 10 and 12%.

However, there are also needs that they need to address on the defensive side of the ball, despite the fact that they had a top-10 unit under defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley.

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One of these is at the cornerback position where it looks like they are going to part ways with a two-time Pro Bowler.

The Green Bay Packers Are Likely Going to Move on from Jaire Alexander

Oct 13, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander (23) celebrates following the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Oct 13, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander (23) celebrates following the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch

The day after the Packers lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card round of the NFL Playoffs, two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander told members of the media that he had nothing good to say and that he did not know if he was going to be back next year.

These comments, as well as the fact that he has only played in half of Green Bay’s regular season games since 2021, has led many to conclude that the Packers are going to move on from him, whether it be via trade or release, this offseason.

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Fortunately for Green Bay, they have good defensive backs already in Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine, who performed well during Alexander’s prolonged absence last season. Still, depth at the position is even more of a concern now than it was last year, leading many to believe the Packers will address the position in free agency, the 2025 NFL Draft, or both.

NFL Analyst Believes the Green Bay Packers Could Target Asante Samuel Jr.

Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. (26) breaks up a pass intended for Green Bay Packers wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (13) on Sunday, November 19, 2023, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. (26) breaks up a pass intended for Green Bay Packers wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (13) on Sunday, November 19, 2023, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
Tork Mason

According to Patrick K. Flowers of Bleacher Nation, one player fans should keep an eye on in terms of the Packers’ possible interest is Asante Samuel Jr.:

“Asante Samuel Jr. is a corner with which the Packers are familiar, having hosted him for a pre-draft visit a few years ago. Samuel missed much of last season with an injury but has been a steady starting cornerback with Los Angeles since being drafted. He also spent time with Packers defensive passing game coordinator Derrick Ansley, who worked for the Chargers as a defensive backs coach and defensive coordinator.”

As Flowers notes, the Packers hosted Samuel for a pre-draft visit in 2021, the same year they selected Eric Stokes. Based on Stokes’ own uncertain future in Green Bay and his injury history, Green Bay may feel like they should have made a different pick.

Both Stokes and Samuel are hitting free agency this offseason as Green Bay declined their 2021 first round pick’s fifth-year option.

That being said, the Los Angeles Chargers star did miss 13 games in 2024 due to injury. With how banged up Packers cornerbacks have been over the last four years, it would be understandable if Green Bay were to pass on him again.

Still, over the course of his four-year career, Samuel has allowed only 59.5% of passes thrown his way to be completed.

If the Packers are convinced his injury from last year will not linger or cause future injuries, he could be an intriguing option in free agency.

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