Packers by position: Defensive backs by Rob Demovsky
 
Once again this April, the Press-Gazette will provide a pre-draft breakdown of the Packers roster at each position by beat writer Rob Demovsky. This will lead up to the start of Pete Doughertys annual position-by-position draft series on April 21.

Defensive backs

What they have

Cornerbacks: Charles Woodson, Tramon Williams, Sam Shields, Brandon Underwood, Pat Lee, Josh Gordy, Josh Bell.

Safeties: Nick Collins, Charlie Peprah, Morgan Burnett, Atari Bigby*, Anthony Smith, Anthony Levine, Michael Greco

Cornerback/safety: Jarrett Bush

* Could be an unrestricted free agent depending on new CBA rules

Position analysis

The Packers basically hit the lottery without buying a ticket when they signed Sam Shields as an undrafted free agent. All signs point to him being a starter whenever Charles Woodson calls it quits, although theres no reason to think thatll happen any time soon. With Woodson, Williams and Shields, the Packers have their nickel corners set. However, as easily as corners can go down, they still need to upgrade the quality of their depth. Underwood still has potential but needs to show it. This summer could be his last chance. Lee played decent in relief in the Super Bowl but remains largely unproven. Collins had another Pro Bowl season and Peprah was serviceable as a fill-in starter after Burnett blew out his knee in Week 4. Theres some thought to playing Woodson more at safety like he did in the Atlanta playoff game, but that wouldnt be a full-time position change. Bigby wasnt tendered as a restricted free agent, so he probably wont be back no matter what the free-agency rules will be under a new CBA. Levine is a promising prospect. He was on the practice squad all of last season after a solid first training camp.

The future

With as much nickel as defensive coordinator Dom Capers plays, theres always a need for good cover corners. Woodson, who broke his collarbone in the Super Bowl, is expected to make a full recovery, but hes 34 years old and showed some signs of slight decline. So drafting a cornerback high isnt out of the question, but it probably wont be in the early rounds.

This is the eighth in a position-by-position series evaluating the Green Bay Packers needs entering the 2011 draft.

SECONDARY

Need level: Low

On the roster: CB Tramon Williams, CB Charles Woodson, S Nick Collins, S Morgan Burnett, CB Sam Shields, S Charlie Peprah, CB/S Jarrett Bush, CB Pat Lee, CB Brandon Underwood, CB Josh Gordy, S Anthony Smith, S Michael Greco, S Anthony Levine, and CB Josh Bell.

Free agents: S Atari Bigby.

Outlook: The emergence of Shields as a starting-caliber player changed everything for this unit. Woodson is starting to show age on the outside and needs to be in the slot where he can be used more like a safety. Shields has allowed that and also guarantees the team has two young corners in place for at least three more seasons. Behind Shields, Lee and Underwood havent grown the way the coaches hoped and could be replaced if a corner is drafted. Lee is a little ahead of Underwood because of experience, but if Underwood could get his act together he could work his way into the dime. Gordy is an interesting prospect because of his speed and could get a look, too. The coaches were extremely high on Burnett before he tore his ACL and will give him every chance to win the starting spot over the reliable Peprah. Burnett has outstanding ball skills, but you never know how an ACL will affect a players ability. Whatever the case, they're stocked at the position with Peprah, Smith, Bush and others. Theres almost no chance Bigby will be back.

Eye-opening stat: The secondary committed 18 coverage penalties in 20 games, an average of just under one per game.

Whats available: There are a lot of guys with glaring warts that make taking a cornerback in this draft a risk. The top two corners, LSUs Patrick Peterson and Nebraskas Prince Amukamara, will be gone early and the next most talented, Colorados Jimmy Smith, might be off GM Ted Thompsons board for character issues. In the second, Buffalos Josh Thomas would fit the height/speed requirements the Packers have and converted running back Curtis Marsh of Utah St., who doubles as a kick returner, might be an option at the end of the fourth. Later, South Carolina speedster Chris Culliver could be considered both for his Shields-like potential and return ability.

Bottom line: This might not be the time or place to address the eventual replacement for Woodson. Theres always reason to add cornerbacks and Thompson could do that late, but theres no sense taking any gambles or over-drafting because of need. The safety position probably won't be addressed.

I thought they released Bell and Smith. Burnett is gonna be all world. He was on the way to ROY when he busted out his knee.
And for the record, I don't care about "kick returners." I want a PUNT returner.

"nerdmann" wrote: