Unpacking Future Packers: No. 14, East Carolina CB Shavon Revel Jr
Unpacking Future Packers: No. 14, East Carolina CB Shavon Revel Jr
The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who the Green Bay Packers could select in the 2025 NFL draft.
The Green Bay Packers are doing a mini remodel of the cornerback room at 1265 Lombardi Avenue this offseason. They lost Eric Stokes, Corey Ballentine and Robert Rochell to free agency, and Jaire Alexander's days inside that room could be numbered.
Brian Gutekunst signed Nate Hobbs to a four-year deal. The former Las Vegas Raider can play in the slot or on the boundary and gives Jeff Hafley another versatile piece in the secondary.
The makeover of that room will continue during the 2025 NFL Draft, where Gutekunst will likely use a pair of picks on the position.
A potential target early in the draft is Shavon Revel Jr. The East Carolina cornerback checks in at No. 14 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.
Revel started his collegiate career at the JUCO level before transferring to East Carolina in 2022, where he missed the beginning of the season due to a hand injury he suffered during offseason workouts. Revel enjoyed a breakout season in 2023, recording 54 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one interception and 13 pass deflections.
This past season, Revel played in three games before suffering a torn ACL. In those three games, he recorded two interceptions and two pass deflections.
Standing at 6-1 with nearly 33-inch arms and an impressive track background, Revel has a unique combination of size and speed. He stands out on the gridiron. Due to that combination, Revel was No. 35 on Bruce Feldman's Annual Freaks list. From Feldman:
"A former high school track standout, Revel ran a 6.90 55-meter dash time, but really got on the Pirates' wish list after he ran a 4.40 40 and broad-jumped 11 feet during a summer camp. At 6-3, 190 pounds, Revel has ideal size for an NFL corner."
With his speed, Revel is able to stay attached to wide receivers on a vertical plane. He reaches his top gear quickly. He has easy change of direction skills and composed footwork to mirror receivers in coverage. He's able to stay hip-to-hip with wide receivers. If he gets beat, he has the elite recovery speed and doesn't panic when the ball is in the air.
"Revel's recovery speed and his speed breaking on the football is among the best in the class," Devin Jackson, an NFL Draft writer for The Philadelphia Inquirer said. "He's a loose, sudden athlete that often undercuts routes and beats wide receivers to the tops of their routes."
Revel is opportunistic in coverage. The JUCO transfer is always looking to make a game-changing play. He does wide receiver-like things at the catch point and has outstanding body control. He's a long, athletic cornerback who did a great job of using his length to disrupt wide receivers at the catch point and at the top of their routes.
"Revel never panics in coverage, even in trail technique, and it's impressive to watch him close the gap between he and the receiver downfield," Jackson said. "He's also willing to take chances in coverage, which allowed him to nab two interceptions while only playing in three games."
The East Carolina cornerback doesn't back down against the run. He does a good job of coming to balance and getting his man to the ground. With his impressive wingspan, he has a wide tackle radius. According to Pro Football Focus, Revel missed four tackles during his time with the Pirates.
"He's physical as a run defender despite his slender frame," Jackson said. "He doesn't mind sticking in his nose in as run defender."
Revel will also bring special teams value to the team that drafts him. He blocked two kicks during the 2023 campaign and logged 137 snaps during his first two seasons at East Carolina and recorded two tackles.
Fit with the Packers
Before suffering a season-ending injury, Revel was on the fast track to be a Top 15 pick. In three games, he recorded two interceptions and he would have put on a show at the NFL Scouting Combine. With his size and the speed he would have been able to showcase, teams would have been tripping over themselves to get their hands on the East Carolina cornerback.
Given that he's coming off a torn ACL and that he'll be 24 on draft night, the Packers may stray away from Revel in the first round. If he somehow slides to them in the second round, the Packers would be getting tremendous value.
"The best is ahead of Revel, who showcased excellent change of direction ability and closing speed to make plays on the football," Jackson said. "He's got the skill set, length, instincts, and ball skills to be a high upside cover corner that can play both man and zone coverages. Assuming he's healthy coming off his injury, Revel has a chance to make an early impact at the NFL level."
Revel checks all the boxes with his frame, athleticism and playmaking ability. He'd bring some much-needed length to Green Bay's cornerback room. If he's on the board when the Packers are on the clock in the second round, it would be a slam dunk pick for Gutekunst and the Packers.
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