Smith noted that although King’s splash-play stats have decreased, he managed to prevent any touchdowns throughout the entire season.
The Packers have a history of finding hidden gems in the late rounds or even undrafted players and developing them into starting cornerbacks. In the previous year, they selected Valentine in the seventh round (232nd overall) and he ended up starting in 12 games.
“I have a strong sense that I will always remember that sensation,” remarked King. “And I believe it will only drive me to work harder and continue moving forward.”
Fortunately for King, he was the sole cornerback chosen by the Packers out of their 11 draft picks in Green Bay. This is a positive development, as there were expectations that the team would select a cornerback in the first round. Despite the presence of Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes, Carrington Valentine, Keisean Nixon, and Corey Ballentine – all of whom have proven capable of starting – there is still plenty of room for King to make an impact.
King played in 13 games in 2022 and started in nine of them. He had the most passes defended in the Big Ten and was ranked third in the nation with a total of 21. Additionally, he intercepted three passes and caused one fumble.
Smith explained that occasionally, someone may aspire to be like Batman but ultimately ends up as Robin. He used the example of Joey Porter to illustrate this, as the experience of being in the top position is inherently different from being in a supporting role.
King explained at the recent rookie minicamp that he carries a persistent grudge.
Discussing the most promising players in each position, the author mentioned King or Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry as the top-ranked cornerback. However, in the 2024 draft, McKinstry was selected as the ninth pick in the second round and the fifth cornerback overall, while King was the last to be chosen at number 36.Rob Demovsky, ESPN Staff Writer
According to Hafley, K’Waun Williams, who played as the starting nickel for us in Cleveland, was one of the most talented individuals I have ever been associated with. He joined us as a tryout player and ended up starting over a first-round pick, Justin Gilbert.
Additionally, there is the newly appointed Jeff Hafley as defensive coordinator, who has witnessed players follow a comparable trajectory to the NFL like King’s and achieve triumph.
“When given a chance in this league and maximizing it, the timing of being selected becomes insignificant. This scenario is not uncommon, and he is in a similar role. I am not drawing a direct comparison to K’Waun, as I need to observe more, but I believe K’Waun excels in this position within this specific system.”
This highlights the contrast between the ideal reality of being chosen in the first round of the NFL draft if players could enter straight out of high school, and the actual situation for King who was selected as the third-to-last player after being required to complete his third year at Penn State.
After one year, he began playing in all 12 games during his junior year. However, he only had two defended passes and did not make any interceptions or forced fumbles.”That was his very best season,” Smith said. “He played alongside Joey Porter [Jr.]. He was big-time. He showed what you guys are going to get.”
He approached his preparation in a consistent manner. Occasionally, individuals may receive varying information from their surroundings, but I am uncertain if this applied to him. However, he consistently prepared and attended each day.
To be honest, I believe they may have landed the best deal in the draft,” stated Terry Smith, who serves as Penn State’s associate head coach, defensive recruiting coordinator, and cornerbacks coach.
Smith stated that ultimately, preventing touchdowns from the corner position can be considered a successful accomplishment. Although they may desire to make more plays, it is important to recognize that the outcome of the game is not being jeopardized due to the effectiveness of the corner in preventing game-winning touchdowns.
Reworded:
If Kalen King had been eligible to participate in the 2023 NFL draft, he would have likely received a signing bonus between – million as a mid-to-late first round pick. He would have also been almost guaranteed a spot on a team’s roster and the opportunity to start immediately.
“View the analysis for all 257 selections.”
• Kiper’s draft grades | Best, worst picks
• Top 100 Picks Ranking | Overreactions
Some major points | Yates’ preferred selections
• Review details for each transaction | Learn more about the preliminary version
What occurred during the time frame of his second and third years at Penn State?
King’s performance went from highly anticipated to shockingly underwhelming as the draft progressed. He didn’t receive a call from the Green Bay Packers until the last few minutes of the seven-round draft, ultimately being selected as the 255th overall pick out of 257.
Under the 2024 draft, King received a signing bonus of ,736 and the opportunity to compete for a spot on the roster during training camp.
King, who stands at 5 feet and 11 inches and weighs 191 pounds, has already caught the attention of others. At the recent rookie minicamp, he saw some playing time as a nickelback, which could be a good fit for him in Hafley’s defensive strategy. In his first practice, King caused a fumble that was returned for a touchdown by linebacker Edgerrin Cooper.
Miller stated this week that the potential is present if he can realign himself and increase his dedication. Miller also mentioned that he viewed him as a skilled technician rather than an exceptional athlete. It would not surprise me if he managed to secure a spot on the team’s nickel or dime package.
Smith stated that the discrepancy was due to a combination of factors, such as Porter leaving for the NFL as the Steelers’ second-round pick in 2023.
Smith stated that he believes it is a driving force. He acknowledges that it is not the draft placement he anticipated, and it is a humbling experience. He also recognizes that it now shows his true value and he must work harder to succeed with a determined attitude.
