The Packers took a big swing in the second round of the NFL Draft, adding what general manager Brian Gutekunst and head coach Matt LaFleur hope and believe will be quality depth to a cornerback room that desperately needs it.
Former South Carolina standout Brandon Cisse was Green Bay’s first pick of draft weekend, with the No. 53 overall selection, and the pick has drawn rave reviews with some analysts believing he has the potential to be an immediate plug-and-play starter for new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon.
Packers’ Brandon Cisse has big question to answer as a rookie
At six feet and 193 pounds, Cisse showed during his career at South Carolina that he isn’t afraid of bodying up against bigger wide receivers, and has the athleticism to go and make a play on contested passes in the vertical passing game.
Over at ESPN, though, NFL insider Jeremy Fowler spoke to top executives and coaches about each team’s draft haul, with one raising a genuine concern about Cisse in Green Bay.
“He’s got a ton of ability — he just didn’t always show it,” a defensive backs coach says, via ESPN. “Improve the consistency and you’ve really got something.”
That will now be Gannon’s job, to maximize Cisse’s ceiling, after he intercepted just two passes during his collegiate career, with 10 pass breakups and 65 total tackles.
If Cisse can supplant the likes of Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine for a starting job, this will wind up being a home run selection for Gutekunst and the Packers.