Four-year veteran cornerback Eric Stokes signed a new contract with the Las Vegas Raiders. Stokes, a former first-round pick, spent the entirety of his career with the Green Bay Packers.
Eric Stokes, Las Vegas Raiders, Agree to Contract
After declining the fifth-year option on his contract, Eric Stokes entered the 2024 season looking to establish his value ahead of free agency. That mission was a partial success, as the cornerback stayed on the field for all 17 games while making seven starts. During his time on the field, Stokes recorded 41 tackles and a 61.3 PFF grade, the 74th-best mark out of 116 eligible players. With his help, the Green Bay Packers made the playoffs but lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card Round.
Eric Stokes originally entered the league as a first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Selected by the Packers, the Georgia product immediately became a key part of the defense. Appearing in 16 games while making 14 starts, the rookie finished his inaugural season with one interception, 14 passes defended, 55 tackles, and a 65.5 PFF grade. Aaron Rodgers won MVP in 2021, but the team still lost to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Divisional Round.
Unfortunately, Stokes could not build on his promising season. Entering the year as a starter, the first-round pick struggled early in the year and finished as one of the lowest-graded players at his position. While an ankle injury prematurely ended his season, he still finished with no interceptions, 26 tackles, and a 53.7 PFF grade.
Stokes couldn’t overcome the injury bug, as he started the 2023 campaign on the Physically Unable to Perform list. While he gradually overcame in ankle ailment from the previous season, he suffered a hamstring injury that limited him to just three games.
Since signing his rookie contract, Eric Stokes has appeared in 45 games while making 32 starts. While on the field, the Georgia product has recorded one interception, 14 passes defended, 128 tackles, and one tackle-for-loss.
