Key Takeaways:
– Green Bay Packers’ coach, Matt LaFleur, positively appraises cornerback Carrington Valentine.
– Valentine aims to consolidate his starting position in the team in 2024.
– Eric Stokes, Valentine’s competitor, strives to regain his position in the starting lineup, following injuries.
The Green Bay Packers’ 2023 draft class has impressed many, particularly Head Coach Matt LaFleur. He has shown considerable excitement about what cornerback Carrington Valentine could bring to the team in his second year. On Tuesday, June 11, following a required minicamp practice, LaFleur expressed his high expectations for Valentine.
The Journey of Valentine to Stardom
LaFleur couldn’t suppress his enthusiasm for the seventh-round former pick, Valentine. “I think it’s been outstanding,” the coach admitted. He highlighted Valentine’s commitment to strengthening himself after the regular season, a challenge the player successfully met. “He’s stronger…I’m excited for him. I think he has a really bright future,” LaFleur added.
This jubilant acknowledgment by LaFleur implies that Valentine could be competing for a starting spot alongside Jaire Alexander at the training camp if he maintains his current performance.
Valentine, a native of Cincinnati, wasn’t widely recognized before entering the NFL. Despite his less acclaimed status as a 3-star high school recruit, Valentine didn’t let this hamper his passion. He successfully secured offers from noteworthy programs including Duke, Michigan State, and Minnesota. Nevertheless, he chose to play for the Kentucky Wildcats closer to home.
Valentine’s steady and persistent performance saw him becoming a full-time starter as a sophomore. He played 25 games over his last two college seasons. His record included 118 total tackles and 21 pass breakups, despite only making one interception during his college career.
The relatively low count of interceptions and his relatively compact frame as a 5’11”, 193-pound cornerback left Valentine waiting until the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft, when the Packers claimed him with the 232nd pick. His breakthrough came when injuries to Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes pushed him into the starting lineup. Valentine took the opportunity with both hands, demonstrating his worth with 44 tackles and nine pass breakups while featuring in all 17 games. Pro Football Focus revealed that quarterbacks had a passing rating of just 80.7 when targeting him.
Valentine’s Hope to Maintain Starting Position in 2024
Heading into the 2024 season, Valentine plans to solidify his position in the starting lineup, but not without competition.
His biggest competition, Eric Stokes, had a promising rookie season with the Packers. However, despite maintaining a low passer rating of 79.1 when targeted in 2021, he’s struggled to repeat this success due to recurring injuries. Stokes was forced onto injured reserve multiple times in 2023 due to persistent hamstring problems.
Now, Stokes is determined to bounce back and regain his starting place on the team. However, Valentine’s impressive performance casts doubt on the security of Stokes’s position.
With the offseason and training camp looming, anticipation hangs in the air. Will Carrington Valentine solidify his position, or will Eric Stokes regain his old form and snatch the spot? Only time will tell.