The Green Bay Packers made headlines in the NFL Draft by selecting cornerback Kalen King from Penn State in the seventh round. Initially projected to be a top three round pick, King’s draft stock plummeted after a disappointing performance in the 2023 college football season. However, King is determined to prove his critics wrong and make the most of this opportunity with the Packers. He believes that being drafted later than anticipated has only fueled his competitive spirit and motivation to succeed.
During his sophomore season in 2022, King was a standout player, earning second-team All-American honors with 18 pass breakups and three interceptions. He was highly regarded as a first-team preseason All-American in 2023 but struggled to replicate his previous success. Despite not recording any interceptions and only two pass breakups in the 2023 season, King was still known for his physicality and tough play on the field.
Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst expressed his satisfaction with selecting King, attributing his fall in the draft to various factors such as testing, medicals, or other unknown reasons. King’s 40-yard dash time of 4.61 seconds was not impressive, but he did rank well in production score among cornerbacks at the NFL Combine. His draft day experience was marked by anticipation and disappointment, waiting until pick No. 255 to hear his name called.
King views the draft day experience as a learning opportunity and plans to use the doubts and criticism as motivation to excel on the field. He is determined to prove his worth and showcase his skills to the world, focusing on his potential and capabilities rather than the opinions of the doubters. As he channels his energy and determination into his performance with the Packers, King aims to make a significant impact and contribute to the team’s success. Despite the challenges he faced leading up to the draft, King remains confident in his abilities and is ready to show what he can bring to the table.
