The Green Bay Packers did not perform well at cornerback last season, despite signing Nate Hobbs in free agency. As free agency officially begins on Monday, general manager Brian Gutekunst faces pressure to upgrade a position that has been a glaring weakness for the team.

Struggles in the Secondary

The Packers’ cornerbacks struggled last season, with Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, and Hobbs failing to consistently cover top quarterbacks and elite receivers. Nixon, who played in all 68 games since joining the team in 2022, finished the season with 17 passes defensed and one interception. However, Pro Football Focus credited him with seven touchdowns allowed and 12 penalties, the highest among all cornerbacks.

Valentine had a completion rate of 56.4 percent but allowed five touchdowns, more than he had pass breakups. Hobbs, who signed a four-year, $48 million contract last offseason, played only 12 games for the Packers, missing time due to injury and failing to make a significant impact.

Potential Free Agency Targets

Gutekunst is expected to pursue veteran cornerbacks in free agency, with a long list of options available. Among the top prospects is Alontae Taylor of the New Orleans Saints, who has 52 passes defensed in four seasons and played in every game the past three years. Taylor, 27, was ranked 70th in completion percentage allowed but limited opponents to just 9.6 yards per catch.

Jamel Dean of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is another name on the radar. Dean, 29, has 61 passes defensed and 11 interceptions in six seasons, and allowed the lowest completion percentage among all cornerbacks last season at 46.3 percent. His tackling ability and experience make him an attractive option.

Josh Jobe of the Seattle Seahawks also stands out. The 28-year-old played a key role in the Seahawks’ Super Bowl run, starting 15 games and recording 12 passes defensed. Jobe, who was coached by new Packers defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon in Philadelphia, allowed a completion percentage of 51.8, which ranked 10th among all cornerbacks.

Jaylen Watson of the Kansas City Chiefs is another option. Watson, 27, had a completion percentage allowed of 59.3, which ranked 35th, but he did not allow a touchdown in 2025 and had a passer rating allowed of 69.0, the best among free agents.

Other Notable Names

Tariq Woolen of the Seahawks, 27, is a towering 6-foot-4 cornerback who had 12 interceptions and 53 passes defensed in four seasons. Woolen, who finished third in Rookie of the Year voting in 2022, allowed 57.4 percent of completions, which ranked 27th among all cornerbacks.

Cor’Dale Flott of the New York Giants, 25, is a rising star who started 14 games in 2025 and had 11 passes defensed. Flott allowed a completion percentage of 54.0, which ranked 17th, and gave up only one touchdown.

Greg Newsome of the Jacksonville Jaguars, 26, has played in the slot and on the perimeter but has struggled with coverage. Newsome, who was a first-round pick by the Browns in 2021, allowed a completion percentage of 65.8, which ranked 55th among all cornerbacks.

Nahshon Wright of the Chicago Bears, 27, had a breakout season in 2025 with five interceptions and 11 passes defensed. Wright, who is 6-foot-4, allowed a completion percentage of 63.9, which ranked 50th, but his Pro Bowl season may have been a fluke.

Montaric Brown of the Jaguars, 27, had a career year in 2025 with two interceptions and 12 passes defensed. Brown allowed a completion percentage of 54.0, which ranked 17th, and had a passer rating allowed of 73.5, which ranked 14th among all free agents.

Gutekunst has a history of addressing key needs in both the draft and free agency. With an excellent draft class and a need for quality cornerbacks, the Packers are expected to make a strong push in free agency to improve their defense.