Eric Stokes was chosen by the Green Bay Packers with the 29th overall choice in the 2021 draft. From 2018 to 2020, the University of Georgia’s defense, which dominated the SEC, was led by Stokes. However, after coming to Green Bay, his career has been hindered by injuries and poor performances. Stokes needs to establish his worth to the Packers in 2024 because he has one more year remaining on his rookie deal.
Stokes was drafted by the University of Georgia as a three-star prospect. He was one of their best defensive players before he left after three years. Stokes started each and every game for the Bulldogs in his final two years there. He recorded 20 total stops in his senior season of college, including four interceptions and four pass breakups in just nine games. That year, he gave up just one touchdown to DeVonta Smith.
Stokes was thought to be a tough, quick defensive back going into the draft who could match the fastest receivers in college football. He did not fare as well overall after joining Green Bay, though.
In 2021, Stokes had a strong debut season with the Packers. Thirteen rookie cornerbacks played at least 200 snaps in the 2021 season, according to Pro Football Focus. With just 51% of the balls thrown his way being completed, Stokes led the team in completion percentage of those 13 corners.
In addition, he led the group in yards gained after completion with just 2.69 per grab and the most throws swatted away, demonstrating his ability to tackle in the open field. In terms of snaps per reception, Stokes placed second overall, giving up a catch every 12.5 snaps. At an average opponent passer rating of 78.8, he came in second in the opposition quarterback ratings. In 2021, Stokes participated in 16 out of Green Bay’s 17 games, recording 43 solo tackles and forcing one interception.
Due to a shoulder injury that caused Jordan Alexander to miss 13 games in 2021, Stokes also saw an increase in production in his rookie season. For the majority of the season, he and Rasul Douglas were Green Bay’s top two corners. They took up the slack in Alexander’s absence together.
Soon after Alexander recovered, Stokes struggled with injuries. Due to different problems with his knee and foot, he missed nine games in 2022. He was out for the majority of the 2023 season with a hamstring injury. Over the previous two years, Stokes appeared in just 12 games, and just three last year. He totaled 26 solo tackles and one tackle for loss in those 12 games.
Given that Stokes is about to reach the last year of his four-year rookie deal, this upcoming season will serve as his prove-it year.
Stokes must first maintain his health in order to make a name for himself the next season. Not just him, but, missing many games because of a sore hamstring.Due to a similar issue, Christian Watson missed eight games and Aaron Jones missed six last season. The Packers have responded by working hard to avoid hamstring problems.
To prevent exacerbating his issue further, Stokes intends to see a hamstring specialist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Stokes should see enough playing time to establish himself as a player worth keeping around if he can maintain his health for the duration of the campaign. Playing on or off the line of scrimmage, he can maintain tight coverage since he has the quickness to match up with any receiver.
Stokes possesses the quickness to stay up with a receiver who is breaking his route if he is playing on the line. In the event that the route breaks beneath his coverage, he will have ample time to get right on the receiver if he is off. Stokes has the drive to stick with his man, which helps him rank top in yards gained after completion.
Stokes must, however, sharpen his ball-attacking techniques. In Week 16, the Green Bay Packers defeated the Carolina Panthers 33-30 while D.J. Chark Jr. caught two touchdowns while Stokes was covering him.
In the one full season that he managed to put together, Stokes performed admirably. To receive the chance to make plays, though, he needs to be healthy throughout the season. Stokes can continue to be a part of the Packers’ long-term plans if he can accomplish that and attack the football at its best. However, Stokes’ time in Green Bay will run out if he keeps getting hurt and allows receivers to make big plays when he is in a good position.
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