CB Josh Moten Would Be Worth the Risk For the Packers

My somewhat controversial take on the Green Bay Packers’ current roster is that cornerback is not a top-three need heading into the draft. That said, the team does need depth at the position. While he doesn’t necessarily profile as the type of prospect Green Bay typically targets, South Carolina’s Josh Moten is a player I’m probably higher on than most evaluators.

Josh Moten has 22 passes defended over the last three seasons. He flashes strong awareness while in zone, along with the ability to click and close quickly on throws in front of him. He can also be instinctive when triggering against the run. That said, his run defense has been inconsistent. He posted a 21.6% missed-tackle rate in 2023, though that number improved significantly to 6.3% in 2025.

Inconsistency against the run got Carrington Valentine benched last year. If you're going to play cornerback for the Packers, you have to hold up in run defense. That context matters when evaluating Moten.

He’s listed at 185 lbs. on ESPN, which makes him a bit small for their preference and falls below the threshold Green Bay has typically targeted at the position. Their benchmark has typically been around 190 lbs., so Moten would come in below what the Packers usually look for in terms of size and physicality.

Furthermore, his off-field history will definitely raise some red flags for Brian Gutekunst and Green Bay’s front office. Moten was arrested multiple times in 2021 and 2022, including charges for driving while intoxicated, drug possession, and tampering with evidence.

So, looking at the bigger picture, we’re talking about a cornerback prospect who is undersized and has significant off-field concerns. That’s typically a non-starter for Green Bay, and for good reason.

My interest in Moten comes down to the upside he offers as a pass defender. Yes, as mentioned earlier, the Packers place a premium value on defensive backs who can hold up against the run. Still, it’s not like their cornerbacks were consistently getting the job done in either phase last season, were they?

The former Gamecock could follow a similar path to Kalen King when he arrived in Green Bay. King was once viewed as a first-round upside who ultimately slid into Day 3. Moten finds himself in a comparable spot. He’s ranked 340th on the consensus board and will likely end up going undrafted or coming off the board late on Day 3 at best, which feels like a fair projection given the full context of his profile.

Make no mistake: Moten is not a Packers type, and I would be surprised if they selected him. I would just see some value in taking a shot on him in the seventh round, similar to what they did with Kalen King. That would only make sense if they address the position earlier, though, because they need more bodies in that room, especially bigger corners who can hold up against the run.