GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Green Bay Packers are getting closer to their last preseason game and final cut decisions.

A rookie cornerback taken in the seventh round is making a bid for a roster spot.

If Kalen King had been in the 2023 NFL Draft, he might have been an early selection. Instead, he went back to Penn State and slipped all the way to the seventh round and was selected by the Packers. He was the 53rd defensive back taken.

“I know with the work I put in,” King said. “At the end of the day, I know what I do behind closed doors and the type of player I am. So, just because another person’s opinion doesn’t match mine, doesn’t mean I’m going to get discouraged and stop doing what I do best.”

Despite a rough game Sunday night in Denver, the Detroit native has been impressing at training camp. He said veteran Jaire Alexander has been particularly helpful to him.

“He’s easy to talk to,” King said. “He’s always checking in on me, always calling me, see how I’m doing. If anytime I got a question, I hit him up. Just trying to continue to stack days, continue to learn from the coaches, learn from the guys, and just keep putting my best foot forward. Keep putting good tape on the film and just keep making plays.” 

“He’s just really instinctive,” Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur said. “He’s a really good football player. The more opportunities he gets, the more he seems to show up and make plays.” 

When it comes down to whether or not he survives cuts, King said he doesn’t sweat it.

“I don’t really worry about it too much,” King said. “I know at the end of the day, I’m doing everything I can to make the team. The rest is not on me. It’s not in my hands to put myself on the team. Up to the guys upstairs, and I feel like I’m doing a real good job.”

The Packers have a tradition of unearthing cornerback finds. Sam Shields was undrafted and Carrington Valentine was taken in the seventh round last year.