The Green Bay Packers must use the 2020 NFL Draft to provide the finishing touches on a team that won 13 regular-season games and got within one game of the Super Bowl during Matt LaFleur’s first season as head coach.
Between now and the draft, Packers Wire will periodically break down one top prospect fitting the Packers’ roster needs.
Up next is Clemson cornerback A.J. Terrell:
What he can do
– Tall cornerback (6-1, 195) with elite long speed and acceleration for his size; 4.42 40-yard dash with a 1.49 10-yard split
– Tons of experience in press-man coverage; effective at jamming receivers at line of scrimmage; has the speed to recover in press-bail
– Steady backpedal out of his stance; nimble feet allow him to trail receivers with ease despite his tall frame; quick to flip his hips and change direction
– Not a good tackler; oftentimes throws his body into defenders rather than wrapping up; takes bad pursuit angles in the run game
– Plays jump-balls aggressively; won’t get boxed out at the catch point
– Struggled against double-moves; burned a few times on deep routes
– Allowed just 23 receptions on 44 targets in 2019, according to Pro Football Focus; finished with six career interceptions
– Minimal experience in the slot, just 23 snaps in 2019
– Got torched against LSU in the 2020 National Championship game, but was lights out in the 2019 National Championship against Alabama
How he fits
Terrell checks most of the boxes as a pure cover corner who excels in press-man. Defensive coordinator Mike Pettine has a long history of valuing cornerbacks with Terrell’s skill-set. Terrell has the size, speed and cover ability the Packers like at the position. Green Bay has a sneaky need at corner, too. Jaire Alexander is a budding star, but Kevin King is slated to become an unrestricted free agent in 2021 and has struggled to stay healthy most of his career. Josh Jackson is quickly approaching ‘bust’ status as a former second-round pick. In fact, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Packers trade Jackson before the season starts. The Packers need depth at the position now and for the future.
NFL comp
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com compared him to Pierre Desir of the Jets (formerly Colts). PFF thinks he’s similar to Darius Slay of the Eagles (formerly Lions). Both players excel at the line of scrimmage and in man coverage, similarly to Terrell.
Where Packers could get him
They’d likely need to use pick No. 30 or trade up into the early second round. It’s hard to imagine a player with Terrell’s physical gifts and cover skills falling to the Packers at No. 62. Many draft analysts believe he has a chance to go in the first round.
Previous Prospects for the Pack
WR Tee Higgins
LB Kenneth Murray
LB Patrick Queen
WR Jalen Reagor
WR Justin Jefferson
TE Harrison Bryant
WR Denzel Mims
WR Brandon Aiyuk
WR/TE Chase Claypool
LB Zack Baun
LB Akeem Davis-Gaither
OT Josh Jones
OT Austin Jackson
S Antoine Winfield Jr.
DL Raekwon Davis
DB Xavier McKinney
WR Donovan Peoples-Jones
DL A.J. Epenesa
TE Hunter Bryant
RB Jonathan Taylor
RB Zack Moss
WR Michael Pittman
WR K.J. Hamler
WR John Hightower
LB Jordyn Brooks
LB Troy Dye
LB Willie Gay Jr.
OT Jack Driscoll
WR Devin Duvernay
OT Ezra Cleveland
WR Van Jefferson
OT Andrew Thomas
S Grant Delpit
TE Cole Kmet
OT Tristan Wirfs
QB Jordan Love
RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
DB Jeremy Chinn
RB/WR Antonio Gibson
DL Jordan Elliott
DB K’Von Wallace
WR Bryan Edwards
DL Ross Blacklock
LB Logan Wilson
DL Justin Madubuike
RB Cam Akers
LB Malik Harrison
RB Darrynton Evans
WR Lynn Bowden Jr.
WR Gabriel Davis
LB Josh Uche
CB Trevon Diggs
DB Terrell Burgess
OLB Terrell Lewis