What can Eric Stokes do to build on his successful rookie season?

    A lot of fans expected the Packers to select a wide receiver early in the 2021 draft, but like every other year since 2002, they deviated from that fan expectation and selected a cornerback, Eric Stokes, out of Georgia. A familiar feeling of early Green Bay draft picks over the years, this player wasn’t on a lot of fans or the media's radar as a pick that was possible. In spite of not being on the radar, he has really shown that he belongs in the league.     

    Due to an injury to Jaire Alexander, Stokes was thrust into action early as a starting cornerback. Along with a blazing speed of 4.24 40 yard dash, Stokes excelled in coverage. Here are some of Stokes' key stats: 16 games, (14 starts), 645 coverage snaps, 48 tackles, 49 receptions allowed on 96 targets for 568 yards, 14 passes defensed, 4 touchdowns allowed, 78.7 passer rating when targeted and one interception.

    After having a tough outing vs Justin Jefferson in week 11, he had an unreal end to the season. Stokes finished the season only allowing 19 catches for 157 yards on 41 targets. Looking at the above stats, this is some solid cornerback play, especially for a rookie. The Packers managed to grab him at the end of the first round, but he performed like one of the best defenders of the 2021 class.

    Despite his rookie success there is some room for improvement in his game. One thing of note is, Stokes needs to trust his instincts and technique more than relying on his speed to make plays. We saw in a couple games, namely at Arizona and vs. Minnesota, there were times he lost track of the ball. Stokes also tallied four dropped interceptions. I believe with more reps and coaching from Jerry Gray, he can really take that next step to leveling up and toward becoming an elite defender in this league.    

    So, what can we look forward to in his sophomore campaign? In the 2022 season, Stokes will be a critical piece in a very loaded starting secondary. I suspect Joe Barry will move him, Alexander, and Rasul Douglas around and put them against receivers that fit their skill set. With the right coaching and improvement, we could see a potential Pro Bowl selection.