From Green Bay draft pick to Las Vegas defensive standout, the Eric Stokes journey
In short: Born on March 1, 1999, Eric Stokes has navigated a turbulent professional career defined by early promise, injury setbacks, and a remarkable 2025 resurgence. After starting as a first-round NFL draft pick, he reinvented his defensive role to become one of the league's most efficient cornerbacks for the Las Vegas Raiders.
Eric Jamane Stokes began his path to the NFL at Eastside High School in Covington, Georgia, where he excelled as both a defensive back and running back. His collegiate career at the University of Georgia saw him evolve from a redshirt freshman in 2017 to a standout starter by 2020, a season in which he recorded four interceptions and two touchdowns. This performance caught the attention of the Green Bay Packers, who selected him 29th overall in the 2021 NFL draft.
Stokes' tenure in Green Bay was marked by both rapid promotion and physical adversity. After stepping into a starting role during his rookie season, he recorded his first NFL interception against Ben Roethlisberger. However, his sophomore year in 2022 was cut short by a season-ending ankle injury during a loss to the Detroit Lions. The subsequent 2023 season was similarly plagued by recurring hamstring issues, leading the Packers to decline his fifth-year option in May 2024.
The turning point arrived in 2025 when Stokes signed a one-year contract with the Las Vegas Raiders. He proved his durability and skill, starting 16 of 17 games and playing 98% of the team's defensive snaps. His 2025 season was statistically dominant: he allowed a league-best 0.6 yards per snap and a team-low passer rating of 76.9. With an overall PFF grade of 73.6, he ranked 18th among 114 cornerbacks. This elite performance earned him the title of the Raiders' 'unsung hero' and secured his future in Las Vegas with a three-year, $30 million contract extension signed in March 2026.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Eric Stokes (cornerback)
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/history-eric-stokes-cornerback.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Born on this day · More in History · Latest · A–Z · All topics
