With the 29th Overall Pick in the 1st Round the Green Bay Packers select Eric Stokes

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Overview
Depending upon scheme, need or preference, Stokes offers teams the potential to play him outside or from the slot. Speed and quickness should allow him to stay with route runners or within close-out distance when he gets behind. Stokes played with better press technique in 2020 and he's willing to get physical near the goal line, but his play strength is below average. While there have been mild flashes of playmaking potential, he's more likely to play the receiver rather than attacking the football and looking for takeaways. He's twitchy in tight quarters with the potential to become more disruptive in zone. His size, speed and athleticism could make him a Day 2 pick as a future CB3, but his weakness as a run defender will be challenged quickly by NFL offenses.

Strengths
  • Combination of speed/quickness to play inside or outside.
  • Occasional flashes of playmaking instincts.
  • Had two interception returns for touchdowns in 2020.
  • Poised through press release.
  • Stands his ground against physical targets.
  • Fights back against push-offs at the top of the route.
  • Celebrated high school sprint champ.
  • Can run with mismatch-caliber speedsters on crossing routes.
  • Hyper-twitchy with downhill drive to his target.
  • Plays into receiver when phasing downfield.
  • Potential for gunner duties on punt team.
Weaknesses
  • Slim lower body with lack of play strength.
  • Thinks "hands" before "feet" when matching release and breaks.
  • Doesn't fully trust what he sees yet.
  • Mostly "right place, right time" interceptions.
  • Takes extra steps on lateral transition from shuffle/pedal.
  • Tardy gaining playmaking positioning in coverage.
  • Below-average poise and balance downfield.
  • Opponents run through solo tackle tries.
  • Likely to be isolated and targeted by run games.
 
Most likely a reach by GB. Needing CB help and seeing all the top CB's go off the board by pick 29 instead of picking the BPA at another spot GB reaches for a GB who was likely around a mid 2nd round prospect.
 
Depending on where you looked he was a slight reach. A number of places had him in the 30's on their boards. There are some sites that had him later than that, but it's not like he's totally out of place at #29. It's just a little high for my taste. I'd have traded up in Rd 2 maybe to get him somewhere in the 40-50 range, but what do I know.
 
Had him as a 2nd or 3rd rounder, he had his moments at UGA both good and bad. He needs to work on some things. He'll probably be a Nickleback early for GB.

PS... have seen both.... think Tyson Campbell is a better prospect long term.
 
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Most had him at 8 or 9 as far as prospect rankings so this a bit high.

“I like him, but he has worse ball skills than (Tyson) Campbell,” one scout said. “He had more interceptions than Campbell, so the ball might find him, but he’ll never be a natural at (picking off passes).”

Finished with 78 tackles (two for loss), four picks and 26 PBUs.

“He’s a starter,” said another scout. “He just doesn’t take the ball away the way other guys do.”

Ran the fastest 40 of the group. In fact, he was a state-champion sprinter in high school in Covington, Ga., clocking 10.39 seconds in the 100 meters.

“He needs to improve his ball skills,” a third scout said. “The height/weight/speed are going to be too hard to pass up.”

A fourth scout said Stokes brought to mind cornerback Stanford Routt, the 38th pick in the 2005 draft by the Raiders.

“He’s stiff,” he said. “He’s a track guy playing football.”
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