Joe Whitt and the Green Bay Packers aren’t interested in waiting around for rookie Kevin King to prove he’s ready to be a starter at cornerback.

The Packers have been testing King with the starting defense against quarterback Aaron Rodgers, mostly to find out if the team’s top pick is actually ready for what’s ahead of him.

“I’m trying to see (if he’s up to the task). I’m trying to figure it out,” Whitt said on Wednesday. “He’s here for a reason. I’m not going to play around. I’m going to see if he can do it or not. If he can’t, he won’t. If he can, he will. I’ve been pleased with what he’s done thus far.”

King didn’t have long to get acclimated. He’s been running with the first-team defense since the second practice of training camp, even after he missed most of the offseason workout program due to NFL rules regarding incoming draft picks from colleges using the quarters system.

Whitt said he wants Rodgers to challenge King more than he has early in camp.

“With his length, a lot of balls don’t even go his way,” Whitt said. “I’m going to ask Aaron to throw more his way, just to see what he can cover.”

So far, King looks like he can cover it all. His speed, jumping ability and flexibility allow him to defend any and all routes, and Whitt believes his length is a natural deterrent for quarterbacks.

“He hasn’t given up many completions, but at the same time, when you see 6-3 over there pressed up, balls don’t go that way, they go other places,” Whitt said.

The plan is to keep challenging King during camp. He’ll continue to run with the starters – which means facing Rodgers and the first-team offense – if he keeps passing Whitt’s tests.

Seeing more of Rodgers should only benefit the Packers’ young cornerback.

“I’m trying to get them as much experience going against Aaron as possible,” Whitt said.