![]() ![]() Slayton was able to make some noise last preseason, recording five pressures in those three games. Slayton, meanwhile, was someone that Gutekunst brought up specifically by name during Tuesday’s press conference. ![]() At 6’5″ – 338 pounds, he could be a secondary option behind Slaton for those run-stuffing snaps in the middle. Ford, a 2022 seventh-round draft pick, spent last season on the 53-man roster but was a healthy scratch on Sundays. When in nickel, it was Clark and Slaton on early downs.Īlso competing for a roster spot and potentially playing time is Jonathan Ford and Chris Slayton. Of course, it was Clark, Slaton, and Wyatt when in their base 3-4 defense, but I also saw Wooden in for Clark on some early down scenarios. So those are the three guys that we are going to count on the most, and then a couple young guys that have done a really good job so far, but there is a long ways to go, we haven’t had a practice in pads yet.”ĭuring offseason programs, we got a quick glimpse into potential defensive front rotations. Obviously, Kenny is going to anchor that thing and Devonte (Wyatt). “I think TJ made some great strides last year,” said Gutekunst. This won’t be the case as we will see each player utilized in each capacity, but that then requires Wooden, Brooks, or whomever else to fill in on early downs. However, with the defensive line being a heavily rotated position, if Clark and Wyatt are playing every run defense snap, that in turn means that they can’t play every pass rush snap. The anchors of this defensive unit will be Clark and Wyatt, along with Slaton in the middle. As run game coordinator Jerry Montgomery said, the Packers have to be prepared to “weather the storm” that comes with young players. As rookies, relying heavily on Wooden and Brooks will come with its ups and downs. Clark would praise Wyatt for his pass rush presence but also added that the “biggest thing” he has to do is refine his run defense technique. While there may be a lot of pass-rush potential with this group, there are many unknowns regarding how this group will hold up against the run. The issue, however, was that they faced the fewest third downs per game, with offenses frequently able to pick up a first down before then. As a group, Green Bay’s defense ranked eighth in third down conversion rate, in part because they were very good when offenses faced third and longs. This then puts the offense in predictable passing situations, allowing the pass rush to pin its ears back and the secondary to play more aggressively. On the flip side, one key reason behind the defense’s late-season success was that the front seven was better against the run. When an offense can find early down success on the ground, it puts them ahead of the sticks, the defense on its heels, and really opens up the playbook for them when facing second and third-and-short situations. This is a run defense unit that ranked 28th in yards per carry allowed, giving up 5.0 yards per attempt and 31st in run defense DVOA. However, as Gutekunst alluded to, success for the Packers’ defensive unit this season starts with being better against the run. When there is pressure, the entire defense benefits and it can often lead to turnover opportunities. ![]() Of course, getting after the quarterback is important. There is also Lukas Van Ness, who we could see lining up inside in pass rushing downs as well. Rookies Colby Wooden and Karl Brooks both possess the versatility to line up anywhere along the defensive front, along with being two players that Brian Gutekunst said have an “extensive skill set” to rush the passer. This offseason, Clark said that Wyatt has the tools to be a great pass rusher as long as he keeps developing. In terms of getting after the quarterback, in addition to Clark, the Packers have Wyatt, who recorded five pressures, including two sacks in Green Bay’s final four games. We’ve got a lot of pass rush potential with that group, but obviously, it all starts with stopping the run.” “A couple of those guys are going to have to take some quick steps and get up to speed in a hurry. Devonte Wyatt has less than 250, and no one else on the roster has a snap in the NFL, according to PFF. Outside of Kenny Clark, the next most experienced player on the roster is TJ Slaton, with fewer than 600 career snaps in two seasons. In a young interior defensive line room, the Green Bay Packers believe that they have plenty of pass rush options, but there are some unknowns when it comes to stopping the run. ![]()
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