The Packers are trying wide receiver Bo Melton out at cornerback this spring, according to The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman.
Melton will be the first to say that he’s no Travis Hunter, but his coaches think that his special teams prowess can translate to defense. He plays on the outside for both punt coverage and returns, giving him experience with open-field tackling and backpedaling to stymie opposing gunners.
“We just thought that if there is somebody that can potentially do both, he would be that guy,” said head coach Matt LaFleur, who previously asked Melton about playing cornerback when he first arrived in Green Bay in 2022, per Schneidman.
Melton downplayed his time at cornerback during spring practices, calling it “just something that came up.”
“I want to give it a shot,” said Melton (via Schneidman), before clarifying, “I’m still a wide receiver, so I’m not really transitioning to no cornerback, but if it works, it works.”
The Packers are careful to note that Melton’s time at cornerback is more of an experiment to develop versatility rather than a full bore position change.
“It’s just something we’re going to take a loot at and see if that’s a possibility,” said general manager Brian Gutekunst (via TMJ4’s Ashley Washburn). The Packers are especially thin at cornerback after parting ways with Jaire Alexander, but Melton would still face an uphill battle to contribute on defense this year. However, if he can become comfortable enough at cornerback to serve as an emergency option, it could help him hold onto a roster spot in a crowded wide receiver room.
“If he’s able to add to his arsenal, that makes him really valuable for us,” Guteknust said.
LaFleur echoed that message, saying, “I think versatility is critical and it creates added value for that player. I just love everything about the guy, how he shows up every day ready to compete and give his best effort.”
No mention of his brother being an NFL cornerback?
It’s comical how much more they needed a CB, but they drafted a WR instead.
Because the WR group was so stacked? You couldn’t pass on Golden when he fell to them.
Looks way better than the CB group.
No. The front 3 at CB are fine and Bullard helps with depth at NB. If they get two injuries to outside CBs, they’re effed. The depth is problematic.
Unreal how this all played out. And now with plenty of cap space they can’t go out and be players for an actual CB??
Best of luck to him. Love to see players add to their skills and be able to succeed in new roles.
The top 3 should be fine. But if they get one injury (and Hobbs has not been the beacon of health) and they’re in trouble. They need a young guy to become CB4.
That said, Jaire totally cashed it in the second he got paid. Since signing a record CB contract in 2021, dude has played in half the games.
Getting injured over and over is cashing in? Locker room liked him. Amazing talent when healthy. If he was not putting forth the effort or was a negative in the clubhouse then it would have been a no brainer to release him. It wasn’t.
Well he did get suspended last year. He did have problems with Barry that were notable. And he did get hurt, over and over, and the coaching staff was less than thrilled that he “felt off.”
That’s a lot of smoke.
Lots of people should have had issues with Barry. I’m amazed he keeps getting DC jobs.
Fair enough. My boss is quite often a moron as well. But if I go public telling everyone in my field he’s a moron, I’m still fired.
Didn’t they just release a CB that was pretty good? Weird.
Like I said on the Alexander story, this situation is going to get some people fired on the defensive staff. Hobbs is best in the slot, so you’re basically going into a season with Nixon as a primary outside CB you’re depending on. That ain’t it.
Nixon was really good outside last year, as was Valentine. I mean, did you watch Packers games?