Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur wants to see rookie Carrington Valentine — who delivered a pick-six during Monday’s practice — continue to build on his early success during the offseason and into training camp.
LaFleur believes Valentine has the skill set to be a “good player” at the NFL level.
“He’s extremely athletic, has made those splash plays,” LaFleur said Tuesday. “I love how he competes. He goes out there and challenges it. You can coach him hard, he’s receptive to the coaching. I think we have a good young player right there. I’m excited to see what he’s able to do when we get into some of these competitive practices going against a team like Cincinnati next week… and then into the preseason games. Certainly we’re early on, only one day in pads. But I think he’s got a great attitude…I think this kid is very, very talented, and he has to continue to build on his early success.”
During a team period on Monday, Valentine, a seventh-round pick, jumped a Danny Etling pass, made the interception and almost certainly would have scored a touchdown in a real-game setting. It was another standout play for a rookie who has made plenty of noise, even dating back to the offseason workout program.
The depth chart reflects Valentine’s ascendance. He’s been a second-team cornerback on the boundary behind Jaire Alexander and Rasul Douglas throughout training camp.
The next challenges for Valentine: building the consistency all coaches want to see in a player, and proving he can keep making plays when the setting or competition changes. The Packers will go to Lambeau Field for Family Night on Saturday, and there are joint practices against the Bengals and Patriots and three preseason games between now and roster cutdown day.