The Green Bay Packers did not address the defensive line position until the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. That means that the team is counting primarily on improvement from within to improve the pass rush from the front four in Jeff Hafley’s defense. The Packers are hoping that several of their defensive linemen will step up and improve their play in 2025 as they enter year two of the new 4-3 base defense Hafley installed last year.
One player who saw his play fall off dramatically in 2024 was defensive tackle Kenny Clark. The former first round pick out of UCLA went to the Pro Bowl in 2023 after a career-high 7.5 sacks. In 2024, he went down to just one sack. His tackles for loss also fell from nine to four and his quarterback hits were reduced from 16 to five.
Clark played through injuries, but the Packers need him to return closer to his previous play where he did a better job of holding up at the point of attack and penetrating the line of scrimmage to make plays.
Rashan Gary also failed to live up to expectations as a pass rusher in 2024 although his run defense improved significantly. Gary led the Packers with 7.5 sacks but still fell short of his career-best 9.5 which he set back in 2021.
The knee injury that cost him the second half of the 2022 season should be far behind him, and he now should be more comfortable in Hafley’s defense. That should give Gary a chance to have a better year in 2025.
The Packers are hoping for a breakout season from former first-round pick Lukas Van Ness. The Iowa alum enters his third season in the NFL but has yet to start a game or develop into an elite pass rusher.
Van Ness has the physical tools to get to the quarterback but still needs to refine his technique and develop alternative moves. He compiled just three sacks last season after recording four in his rookie campaign. If Van Ness can take a big step forward, he can give the Pack another dangerous pass rushing weapon off the edge.
Brenton Cox, Jr. finally got time in the pass rush rotation in the final seven games of the 2024 season after the Packers traded Preston Smith. Cox recorded four sacks and seven quarterback hits in limited action, playing just 35 percent of the team’s defensive snaps in those seven games.
Cox had early round talent but ended up not being drafted because of some off the field issues he had in college. If given the chance, he could live up to his original promise or at least be a solid rotational player who can get pressure on the quarterback when called upon.
The Packers picked up the fifth-year option on defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt. The former Georgia star may get more playing time this season depending on where they have him line up. He has only started five games in his first three NFL seasons but has demonstrated the ability to rush the passer.
Wyatt has 10.5 sacks total over the last two seasons and could help give the Packers some juice from the interior of the line, especially in obvious passing situations. He needs to improve his play against the run to take on an every down role.
Kinglsey Enagbare will be entering the final year of his contract this season. The former South Carolina star had 4.5 sacks last season and will be one more year removed from the injury he suffered in the Packers playoff win over Dallas in January of 2024. Enagbare stepped in as the starter opposite Gary for the final seven games of the season when Smith was traded.
The Packers may also get some help from rookies Barryn Sorrell and Collin Oliver who were drafted in the fourth and fifth rounds this year. They are expected to be rotational pass rushers and anything they add in 2025 would be considered a bonus.
The Packers are hoping for improved pressure from their front four in 2025. If even some of these players step up and play better this season, they may very well get it.