Packers 2016 Recap: S Kentrell Brice
2016 Stats
- Played in 16 games
- 26 tackles, 1 fumble recovery, 1 pass deflected
- Pro Football Focus: 61.4/100 (78th out of 89 qualified safeties)
Expectations going into the season: Low
Expectations were: Met
Analysis: Brice plays role as a stable backup safety
If you had Kentrell Brice in your “most snaps on special teams for the Packers” office pool, congratulations! The undrafted free agent from Tramon Williams’ Louisiana Tech played an average of 21 snaps on special teams in 2016.
Brice’s physical gifts – he ran a 4.43 40 yard dash, a vertical jump of 42 inches and a bench press of 21 – are rare. It’s been over ten years since a cornerback or safety ran a 4.43 40 yard dash and a bench press score of 21.
After an anonymous regular season, Brice briefly trended on Twitter after dropping an interception in the Divisional Round against the Cowboys. Ultimately, Micah Hyde intercepted Dak Prescott three plays later to negate the impact of Brice’s dropped interception.
Before the playoff game against Dallas, Brice hadn’t played more than 24 snaps on defense. He played 52 snaps after Morgan Burnett exited with a quad injury.
In the NFC Championship Game, Brice injured his shoulder on the opening kickoff. He tried to make it back on the field, playing three snaps before exiting.
His aggressive, violent tackling remind many of former safety Atari Bigby. Bob McGinn wrote in late January that Brice has a chance to be the Packers’ best player from 2016’s rookie class. It’s high praise for another undrafted defensive back from Louisiana Tech.