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There’s lot of interest in the Packers DBs and LBs for good reason – both those rooms need multiple additions and Gute will be a busy beaver adding competition for those groups

However, when it comes to the DL, the Packers are actually in pretty good shape heading into 2024 -  even without significant reinforcements

The Jeff Hafley defense is (allegedly) modeled after the SF, Hou & NYJ style and those teams all feature a very talented DL who limit the opposing offense with relentless pressure. Rush 4, drop 7

In order to be successful, you need a sizable stable of Big Men to rotate and keep ‘em fresh for the 20 game season.

Wave upon wave of demented avengers...

Here’s where we’re at in March 2024:

The Packers will play the most snaps in a 4-2-5 nickel alignment with (4) DL.
2 of those guys are DE types and are somewhat interchangeable
(but there are nuances to LDE vs RDE)

For the 2 DTs, traditionally its been one behemoth and 1 penetrator, but that’s not the case as much anymore. There’s a requirement for the space - eaters to contribute pass rush, otherwise teams just throw on 1st down vs your heavier package.

Listed below are the players, what roles they can play and where they slot on the depth chart in Spring of '24.  Just one man's opinion, happy to hear yours

Basically you need 2 dudes from each group and the ideal split is starters playing 65% snaps and back- ups 35 %

I think it’s going to end up closer to 60-40 because the drop-off between the top guys is minimal compared to years' past. This is a deep and talented group

I’d guess they will keep 8 - 9 DL plus another 1- 2 on PS for further development and to insure you’ve got enough guys to run practice

DE: Gary, Smith, Van Ness, Clark, Enagbare, Cox, Odumegwu & maybe Brooks

Gary/ Smith/ Van Ness /Engabare is a fine 4 man rotation, need one more there and both Clark and Brooks have shown the ability to play outside. Cox is still an unknown but did show some flashes in OTAs

DT: Clark, Wyatt, Slaton, Brooks, Wooden, Ford... with Gary & Van Ness both capable of moving inside in pressure packages

Clark/ Wyatt/ Slaton is a great 3-man rotation at DT;  with Clark the all around stud, Slaton the run stuffer and Wyatt the penetrator. Brooks and Wooden showed promise in 2023 and Ford is still TBD as a back-up to TJ Slaton as a run plug.

Here are DL snap counts from 2023, scroll down and you can get a feel for the previous rotations.

https://www.footballguys.com/s...eam=GB&year=2023

Next up :

The amazing Salvatore has put together highlight reels on most of these guys, so you can see them in action from 2023

https://www.youtube.com/@salva...2/videos?app=desktop

Coaching these guys will be Jeff Hafley, Jason Rebrovich and Vince Oghobaase, a smattering of different experiences and insights from around the league. Oghobaase is a former player, he's been called a real technician in terms of his coaching style and he studied under SF DL guru Kris Kocurek.

The 2024 Packers defense will lean heavily on the DL and it appears we have the horses to make it work. More depth is always appreciated, but this group is already pretty well- stocked for a deep run and there is serious competition in both rooms.  Hat tip to Gute & Co.


Go Packers  

Last edited by Satori
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I was originally thinking that GB might be interested in a big body like D'Vondre Sweat to eat up blockers in the middle but then looked at the size of Slaton and Ford... I think GB is probably good there.

Here's some film review on # 95  Devonte Wyatt. Good stuff

He's really coming on and entering year 3 with some nice momentum.
Goalline reminded me that it takes 2-3 seasons for these guys to get it, but I didn't wanna hear that. He was right.



Wyatt had 11 QB hits last year and 5.5 sacks.
Hoping he bumps both of those numbers up in 2024.
Opportunity is knocking...

@Satori posted:

Here's some film review on # 95  Devonte Wyatt. Good stuff

He's really coming on and entering year 3 with some nice momentum.
Goalline reminded me that it takes 2-3 seasons for these guys to get it, but I didn't wanna hear that. He was right.



You are just trying to get IC to hump your leg.😊

@Satori posted:

Here's some film review on # 95  Devonte Wyatt. Good stuff

He's really coming on and entering year 3 with some nice momentum.
Goalline reminded me that it takes 2-3 seasons for these guys to get it, but I didn't wanna hear that. He was right.

FRONT OFFICE guy had Wyatt as a First Round bust after about 6-7 games of his rookie season.

When the Packers drafted DT/NT  TJ Slaton out of Florida, one of the concerns with him was girth. He was a Big Man with a big appetite and struggled with his weight in college. So far, he's gotten things under control and he's starting to make a name for himself among interior OL.

He's a load, listed at 6'5 and 330.

Former DL coach Montgomery was very complimentary of TJ's progress, while still hammering on fundamentals like pad level and hand placement



Salvatore with some cut-ups from TJs  2023 campaign, he's getting some consistent push in the pass game and busting up the run game too.

Kenny Clark in talks for an extension...allegedly. Per Tom Silverstein
Will free up some 2024 cap space in the process

Green Bay: Packers Are Looking to Extend Kenny Clark

Clark has been in Titletown since being selected in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft. The former UCLA standout is the total package upfront. He has the strength, awareness, and quickness to be disruptive in the backfield.

In his eight-year career, Clark finished with 379 total tackles, 47 tackles for loss, and 34 sacks. Additionally, the 28-year-old is coming off a career-best 7.5 sacks.

Clark heads into the final year of a four-year, $70 million deal that he signed in 2020 so it makes sense why the Packers want to keep him around.

Green Bay has Rashan Gary and Clark as the two anchors along the defensive front. Clark does damage in the middle of the line with Gary screaming off the edge.

The potential top-100 pick is visiting Green Bay, a potential sign that the Packers aren’t going to ignore the defensive line in the 2024 NFL Draft.



Michael Hall, Jr., DT, Ohio State

Hall, who declared after his redshirt sophomore season, is another potential top-100 pick coming to Green Bay this spring. He did not test at the 2024 NFL Combine, but he appears to be a highly athletic interior pass-rush specialist who could be a fit as a 3-technique tackle in the Packers’ 4-3 front.

https://packerswire.usatoday.c...a-dl-khristian-boyd/

"The Green Bay Packers are hosting an official top 30 visit with Northern Iowa defensive lineman Khristian Boyd ahead of the 2024 NFL draft. Boyd posted a photo inside Lambeau Field on his official Instagram account on Thursday.

Boyd was an FCS All-American in 2023 and a two-time All-MVFC selection. Across 49 games, Boyd produced 10.5 sacks, 22.5 tackles for loss, five batted passes and two forced fumbles. He participated at both the Hula Bowl and Shrine Bowl but was not invited to the NFL Scouting Combine

With ideal size and interior pass-rush potential, Boyd is seen as a late Day 2 or early Day 3 selection."

Since he wasn't available for Combine, Packers and other teams wanna meat in person before the draft

Last edited by Satori
@Pakrz posted:

I was originally thinking that GB might be interested in a big body like D'Vondre Sweat to eat up blockers in the middle but then looked at the size of Slaton and Ford... I think GB is probably good there.

Sweat is just too fuckin' big...he eats space for sure, but he eat up too much else. He's a project for whoever drafts him...but I agree we are set for now with space-eaters...and our eaters are athletic.

@Satori posted:

https://packerswire.usatoday.c...a-dl-khristian-boyd/

"The Green Bay Packers are hosting an official top 30 visit with Northern Iowa defensive lineman Khristian Boyd ahead of the 2024 NFL draft. Boyd posted a photo inside Lambeau Field on his official Instagram account on Thursday.

Boyd was an FCS All-American in 2023 and a two-time All-MVFC selection. Across 49 games, Boyd produced 10.5 sacks, 22.5 tackles for loss, five batted passes and two forced fumbles. He participated at both the Hula Bowl and Shrine Bowl but was not invited to the NFL Scouting Combine

With ideal size and interior pass-rush potential, Boyd is seen as a late Day 2 or early Day 3 selection."

Since he wasn't available for Combine, Packers and other teams wanna meat in person before the draft

Boyd is one of my favorites...sneaky good from a smaller progrum. Would be very pleased if they got him in R3-R5

Couple of notes on EDGE rusher Brenton Cox Jr, a 2nd yr player out of Floriduh
who the Packers are hoping to see make a leap forward in 2024

6'4" and 252

more here from Packers Wire

https://packerswire.usatoday.c...portunity-in-year-2/

“I feel like any player should be more ready after Year 1 going into Year 2,” said Brian Gutekunst on Monday when asked about Cox. “He had a really good training camp where he flashed a lot. And really, we stayed fairly healthy in that group most of the year, which really prevented some of those younger guys from getting on the field because we had a few of them that we were very excited about, and sometimes that’s the way it goes.”

“I think he’s got a bright future,” said Gutekunst about Cox. “He’s shown through college and his time with us that he can rush the passer. He’s got a lot of physical traits that we are looking for. I think he will be ready for his opportunity when it comes.”

.
The Mighty Green Bay Packers always sign a bunch of guys to futures contracts, starting in January. Those deals are worth $795 K if they make the team.

Here's one of those guys - Deslin Alexandre out of Pitt.
He's officially listed as an LB and was assigned number 49 - but it seems like his future is at DE in Titletown

"The Green Bay Packers signed LB Deslin Alexandre to a reserve/future contract on Jan. 16, 2024.

Alexandre (6-3, 269), a 25 year old first-year player out of the University of Pittsburgh, originally signed as an undrafted rookie with the New York Jets this past May. He was released following training camp and spent some of the regular season on the practice squad of the Chicago Bears.

In five seasons at Pitt, Alexandre appeared in 58 games, recording 131 tackles
(56 solo), 29.5 tackles for a loss, 16.5 sacks, eight passes defensed and two fumble recoveries. "

Last edited by Satori
@Fandame posted:

Gutey's already inking camp fodder. At age 25 after not sticking with Jets or Bears, I doubt this guy is much more than a give-a-guy-a-breather player.

Yeah, you need enough guys to run a training camp and the big guys are harder to come by. Its also a chance to see if one of them pops and can contribute.
DL Chris Slayton managed to hang around the league for 5 years and earn a  million - because of his genetics and The Planet Theory.

Imagine if you weren't quite good enough to make it in the NFL, but got to hang around and practice with the dudes who are. Holy shit, what an amazing experience. I dig the longshot guys getting their moment in the sun - they've all spent a decade + busting their ass to get here and its cool that they get a taste of the NFL. 

@Satori posted:

Yeah, you need enough guys to run a training camp and the big guys are harder to come by. Its also a chance to see if one of them pops and can contribute.

I thought they brought them in specifically for YAYA to attach himself to

@Satori posted:

.
The Mighty Green Bay Packers always sign a bunch of guys to futures contracts, starting in January. Those deals are worth $795 K if they make the team.

Here's one of those guys - Deslin Alexandre out of Pitt.
He's officially listed as an LB and was assigned number 49 - but it seems like his future is at DE in Titletown

@Satori posted:

Here's some cut ups on my main man, DL Devonte Wyatt.
He's making fantastic progress, regularly beating his guy. Good stuff
Now he's just gotta get a little better at finishing...

https://twitter.com/RossUglem/.../1774566755165254105

Good stuff. And I agree: if he can control the ends of his rushes when he breaks clear, those will turn into sacks which means more victories for GB and more $$ for him. Win-win.

From last years' McGinn Draft series, hoping for a year 2 leap from him

COLBY WOODEN, Auburn (6-4, 278, 4.82, 3-4):
Fourth-year junior, three-year starter. “He was playing inside but Andrew Leota got hurt like third or fourth game,” one scout said. “So then they started playing Wooden at defensive end. He was 287 I think in the fall. Then he dropped some weight to play outside. Then he gets to the combine and they have him in the defensive end stack and he was (273). Really, he’s a 285-pound 3-technique tackle. Is he the most physical player? No. But he’s a very athletic guy.” Ran a solid 40 and tested well. Arms were 33 ¾, hands were 10 3/8.
“Excellent, excellent kid,” said a second scout. “I think he’s a 5-technique but you’ll have to try him both ways to see what he can do.” Finished with 152 tackles (30 for loss) and 15 sacks. From Lawrenceville, Ga.

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