Buried on the cornerback depth chart, Green Bay Packers defensive backs Natrell Jamerson and Will Redmond are spending the spring learning to play safety in Mike Pettine’s defense.
According to Michael Cohen of The Athletic, both Jamerson and Redmond have spent the majority of their time during the offseason workout program playing safety behind starters Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage.
The position change could give the pair a better chance of making the 53-man roster later this summer. The Packers have adequate depth at cornerback but little at safety, especially if third-year safety Josh Jones is traded away at some point before or during training camp.
Positional versatility and special teams contributions could provide a path for Jamerson and Redmond. And they both have some level of past experience at safety.
Jamerson was an All-Big Ten pick at safety as a senior. While the New Orleans Saints drafted him to be a cornerback, and he eventually played in 10 games at cornerback for the Houston Texans in 2018, the safety position isn’t foreign to the former Badger. He also has a nice combination of speed (4.4) and size (5-11, 201).
Redmond, a former third-round pick, played safety in high school but was mostly a cornerback at Mississippi State. His once-promising NFL career has been plagued by injuries.
The Packers could see both Jamerson and Redmond as being interchangeable defensive backs capable of playing free safety and down in the slot, while also having the potential to emerge as core special teamers.
Keep an eye on Jamerson this summer. He figures to have the easier transition, given his history of playing both cornerback and safety. He was also a sure tackler and a standout special teams player at Wisconsin. Training camp could provide a real opportunity for Jamerson to nail down a roster spot as one of the Packers’ backup safeties.
