Conventional wisdom suggests the Green Bay Packers are likely to target one of the top edge rushers in this year’s NFL Draft class, especially given general manager Brian Gutekunst’s stated mission to build a defense capable of relentless front-four pressure.
This is a strong draft class to need a pass rusher, so marrying Green Bay’s biggest need with a position that boasts plenty of potential star-caliber players at the position could wind up being a draft night perfect storm outside Lambeau Field.
Will the Packers Prioritize Taking a Pass Rusher?
Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley is shown before their game against the Houston Texans Sunday, October 20, 2024 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. © Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley is shown before their game against the Houston Texans Sunday, October 20, 2024 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. © Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
However, it sounds like Gutekunst is confident with the players currently on the roster and may be adopting a “best player available” strategy for the upcoming draft.
“We can do everything we need to do,” Gutekunst told reporters during the NFL Annual Meeting, of the Packers’ current pass-rush situation. “From the players we have on our roster right now. Because I think there’s a significant amount of improvement from those guys, not only Year 2 in the scheme, but individually.”
The Packers’ defense improved by leaps and bounds last season, thanks in part to the dynamic play of the secondary under first-year coordinator Jeff Hafley and safety Xavier McKinney’s dominance, in particular.
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Jan 2, 2022; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers linebacker Rashan Gary (52) sacks Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sean Mannion (14) in the second quarter at Lambeau Field. Samantha Madar/Green Bay Press Gazette -USA TODAY NETWORK
Green Bay finished eighth in the league in sacks, with 45, but the organization has publicly postured for most of the offseason that it is looking to upgrade its edge rush presence.
After missing out on the likes of Khalil Mack, who re-signed with the Los Angeles Chargers, Joey Bosa, who inked a deal with the Buffalo Bills, and Josh Sweat, who signed with the Arizona Cardinals, the Packers’ best chance of upgrading the position will likely be during the draft. Which round Green Bay addresses one of its final needs remains an open-question, though.
“I thought they took a big jump during the season”, Gutekunst told reporters in Fort Lauderdale “I thought by the end of the year we were playing some really good football on defense, so I’m excited to see what year 2 [in a 4-3 base defense] brings….I’m excited to see what we can do.”