Packers speedster ditching wide receiver and heading back to defense

Rico Gafford, who signed with the Packers in January, is transitioning from wide receiver back to cornerback, his original position.

Green Bay Packers’ speedster Rico Gafford is making the switch back to defense after trying his hand at offense. Gafford had been listed on the team’s official website as a wide receiver but is now listed at cornerback. The Packers signed Gafford to a reserve/future contract for the 2022 season.   

Cornerback will be a pretty easy transition for Gafford, who played the position for two seasons at the University of Wyoming. Gafford appeared in 27 games, totaling 103 tackles, 17 pass breakups, and six interceptions.  

Standing at 5-9.5, Gafford is a tad undersized, but his speed helps make up for it. At Wyoming’s Pro Day, he ran a blazing 4.22, which is a hair faster than first-rounder Eric Stokes, who ran a 4.25 at Georgia’s 2021 pro day. John Ross ran a 4.22 in 2017, which is still the fastest 40 in NFL Scouting Combine history.   

“I love running. That’s one thing about me. I just love running. I’m a track guy,” Gafford said via Matt Schneidman.  

Gafford went undrafted in 2018 before getting picked up by the Tennessee Titans, where he worked with Matt LaFleur, who was the offensive coordinator. At the time, Gafford was still trying to make it as a corner. He actually appeared in a preseason game against the Packers as a cornerback. 

It wasn’t until arriving at the Las Vegas Raiders the following year that he made the change to offense.  

From 2018 to 2020, Gafford alternated between the Raiders’ practice squad and active roster, appearing in eight games. His first career reception was a 49-yard touchdown from Derek Carr against the Titans in Week 13 of the 2019 season.   

In 2021, Gafford had stints with the Arizona Cardinals, Buffalo Bills, and, most recently, the Denver Broncos. After spending most of the year on the practice squad, Gafford was promoted to the Broncos’ active roster in week 17 but was a healthy scratch.  

So far, it has been a roller coaster of a journey for Gafford as he is now going to try and switch back to corner after focusing on wide receiver. Fortunately, the switch should give him a better chance of making Green Bay’s roster.  

The Packers are loaded with young talent at wide receiver, whereas they are far thinner at corner. The No. 4 spot behind Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes, and Rasul Douglas is practically wide open. Gafford should also get the chance to put his speed to use on special teams as a return man or gunner.  

Spending three years in the Raiders organization should mean there’s a strong familiarity between Gafford and new Packers special teams coach Rich Bisaccia.

Appropriately, Gafford will wear number 37, or the same number worn by Pro Bowler Sam Shields, who successfully made the switch from receiver to corner out of the University of Miami.   

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