Packers Select App State CB Shemar Jean-Charles in Fifth Round of NFL Draft

“This probably is the best day of my life, easily,” said the man who led the nation in passes defensed in 2020.

Author:
Bill Huber
Publish date:
May 1, 2021 4:28 PM EDT

GREEN BAY, Wis. – With the second of their fifth-round draft picks on Saturday, the Green Bay Packers selected Appalachian State cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles.

“This probably is the best day of my life, easily,” he said on his Zoom.

Jean-Charles is a big-time ballhawk, with the caveat being his production came against lesser quarterbacks and receivers. A two-year starter, he had two interceptions but 27 passes defensed during those seasons. As a senior, he had one interception but led the nation with 17 passes defensed to earn some All-American accolades. During his Zoom, he attributed that to his film study.

“A lot of that comes from my preparation,” he said. “My football IQ’s very high, a testament to a lot of my coaches and mentors that I was around in the offseason. Just being able to understand offenses and understand what I’ll possibly get before it happens, it allows me to play just a little bit faster. At the end of the day, I have athletic ability but, once you grasp that mental aspect of the game, it makes it so much slower and makes it so much easier to go out there and just do what feels natural.”

At 5-foot-10 3/8 and 184 pounds, Jean-Charles ran his 40 in 4.51 seconds with a 35-inch vertical jump. While his size might necessitate a move to the slot, Jean-Charles played almost exclusively on the perimeter at App State.

According to Pro Football Focus, he was second in the nation forced-incompletion rate since 2019 (22.9 percent). According to Sports Info Solutions, he allowed a 35 percent completion rate in 2020 and missed only two tackles. On passes thrown 10-plus yards downfield, he allowed six completions out of 35 targets, PFF said.

“I understand the player that I am,” Jean-Charles told Journal Now as the draft approached. “And I don’t look at it as the end of the world if I don’t get drafted. Of course, God willing, I do. Everybody wants their name to be called. But I understand at the end of the day, once you’re in the building it doesn’t matter if you’re a first-round pick or an undrafted free agent. Everybody’s competing. ... I’m not going to stress myself out whether I get my name called or not. At the end of the day, I’m just going to be ready to compete.”

Here’s the scouting report from NFL Draft Bible: Possessing excellent length, he is disruptive throughout the route and through the catch point. Stellar mirroring ability at the line of scrimmage from a press alignment, sliding his feet to cut off angles for receivers. Struggles to burst when transitioning out of his hips, showing hip tightness when having to turn on a line with receivers. Questionable foot speed, seemingly playing a step behind far too often and reaching to grab receivers. Smaller cornerback who lacks athletic traits and ball production

Green Bay is scheduled to make three more selections in the draft: No. 30 (No. 214 overall) and No. 36 (No. 220) of the sixth round and No. 29 (No. 256 overall) of the seventh round.