Packers Take Down Rams and Grab Seahawks’ 5-Round Rookie CB

In their first round of NFL roster changes to start Week 11, the Green Bay Packers have added some more support for their cornerback room.

The Packers cut safety Innis Gaines to make room on the 53-man roster for fifth-round rookie cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly, who was acquired off waivers by the Seattle Seahawks on Monday, per the NFL’s official transaction wire for November 13.

Kelly faced competition from the Packers. The Los Angeles Rams (3-6) attempted to claim Kelly from their NFC West opponents as well, according to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team, but the Packers (3-6) beat them out on waivers because they had a higher waiver priority.

A rookie cornerback selected by Green Bay in the 2023 NFL Draft with an exceptional 8.76 relative athletic score (RAS) has strengthened the team’s already thin secondary. This season, Kelly has only played one defensive snap in 37 special teams snaps.

The Packers confirmed Gaines’ departure but have not yet made an official announcement on Kelly’s acquisition. Prior to their road game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 11, they had just promoted Gaines from the practice squad, but he did not participate in the game on defense. Furthermore, Gaines has already taken advantage of all of his opportunities for ascension, so it seems unlikely that he would rejoin Green Bay’s practice squad.

Kyu Blu Kelly Went No. 157 Overall to Ravens in 2023

Before entering the NFL, Kelly played four seasons as a starter cornerback for Stanford. In his final two seasons, he was named to the Pac-12 second team twice, and in 2021, he led the conference with thirteen pass deflections. Additionally, he received great praise at the 2023 Senior Bowl, earning a “fringe Top-100 grade” from director Jim Nagy.

Kelly ultimately finished outside of the top 100, but the Baltimore Ravens gambled on him in the fifth round (with pick No. 157 overall) because they valued his durability and experience.

“A very skilled, effective mover with good eyes, good physical attributes, good size, and the ability to play man and zone.” Following the end of the 2023 draft on April 29, Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta described Kelly to the Baltimore reporters as “a very experienced player, durable guy.”

Kelly, meanwhile, was unable to secure a depth spot with the Ravens despite expectations. Despite playing a staggering 118 preseason snaps, he had trouble covering, giving up two touchdowns on 10 targets and six receptions for 73 yards. Ultimately, the Seahawks took the initiative and claimed him for their active roster after Baltimore waived him at the 53-man roster cutoff in the hopes of getting him back on the practice squad.

Kelly was a healthy scratch in three of the Seahawks’ first eight games before being waived, and he hasn’t played a defensive snap for the team since. But if the Packers’ depth problems persist, he might actually have a chance to break into the starting lineup and demonstrate his defensive prowess in Green Bay.

Cornerback Depth Remains a Problem for Packers

Kelly’s addition to the team gives the Packers extra depth, but one young, developable cornerback won’t completely address the team’s depth problems at the position.

The Packers are virtually starting the season without three of the four cornerbacks they anticipated to be at the top of their depth chart. After losing a significant amount of time due to a back injury early in the season, All-Pro Jaire Alexander is now out with a shoulder issue. Eric Stokes’ attempt to remove himself from the PUP list in Week 7 resulted in him being placed on injured reserve. Better yet, Rasul Douglas is a Buffalo Bill now.

The Packers are lucky that a few backups have returned the call. Carrington Valentine, a seventh-round rookie, has occasionally shown promise as a hidden gem. In the victory over the Rams, he allowed just one reception on eight targets. In the meanwhile, in Week 10 against the Steelers, Corey Ballentine recorded two pass breakups during his first start for the Packers.

But Keisean Nixon hasn’t performed consistently in the role. This season, he has been somewhat inconsistent as a run defender, allowing receptions on 80% of his targets (32 of 40). The Packers are out of choices should another one of their cornerbacks sustain an injury, even if they can put up with his lower level of play.