The Green Bay Packers are gearing up for the 2024 NFL draft with a strategic focus on potential cornerback talent.
According to Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda, the Packers will be hosting Maryland cornerback Ja’Quan Sheppard for an official top 30 visit.
NFL teams are granted the opportunity to host up to 30 prospects for visits before the draft, and the Packers are diligently exploring their options. The team is actively tracking all reported visits as they fine-tune their draft strategy.
Sheppard, standing at 6-1 and weighing 203 pounds, showcased his athleticism at Maryland’s pro day on March 29. Despite dealing with a hamstring injury, he impressed with a 40-yard dash time of approximately 4.52 seconds and a broad jump spanning 10-11 feet.
A standout performer, Sheppard earned accolades as an All-AAC selection in 2022 while at Cincinnati and followed up with an All-Big Ten recognition in 2023 at Maryland. His talent was further showcased through his participation in prestigious bowl games such as the Hula Bowl and the East-West Shrine Bowl.
During the 2023 season, Sheppard exhibited his defensive prowess with Maryland, tallying 31 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, one sack, and a team-leading eight pass breakups across 13 games. His impact was similarly felt during his tenure at Cincinnati in 2022, where he notched 10 pass breakups and 4.5 tackles for loss over 12 games.
According to statistics from Pro Football Focus, Sheppard boasted impressive coverage skills, allowing just 24 catches on 61 passes thrown into his coverage throughout the previous season.
Despite his solid performance, he recorded two penalties and missed nine tackles. Notably, Sheppard stood out as the highest-graded cornerback during bowl games in 2023, limiting opposing receivers to a mere two catches on six targets for a total of 10 yards while breaking up two passes against Auburn.
With five picks on Day 3 of the draft, the Packers are eyeing Sheppard as a potential developmental perimeter cornerback, envisioning his role within Jeff Hafley’s defensive scheme.
In addition to his visit with the Green Bay Packers, Sheppard is also slated to meet with the Las Vegas Raiders, further underscoring the widespread interest in his talents across the league.
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