Belief in growth and need for additions can both be true

Mike Spofford

"Pre-draft picture" is a position-by-position look at the Packers' roster heading into the 2025 NFL Draft. The series continues with the defensive line.

GREEN BAY How the Packers' defensive line is viewed heading into this draft can depend on who's consulted.

On the one hand, General Manager Brian Gutekunst has said multiple times this offseason he feels the Packers have what they need to produce a more consistent and formidable pass rush in 2025, provided the recent investments along the defensive front continue to make strides as they hit their prime.

On the other, draft analysts commonly are mocking an interior D-lineman or edge rusher to the Packers at No. 23 overall in the first round.

So which perspective is it? Well, maybe both.

It's reasonable to see where Gutekunst is coming from. If the Packers had to play a game tomorrow, the starting defensive line would feature 2024 Pro BowlerRashan Garyand 2023 first-round pickLukas Van Nesson the edges, with three-time Pro BowlerKenny Clarkand 2022 first-round pickDevonte Wyatton the inside.

Behind them, fourth-year proKingsley Enagbarealong with former undrafted prospectsBrenton Cox Jr.andArron Mosbyall of whom received more playing time last fall after Preston Smith was traded would rotate on the outside, while third-year linemenKarl BrooksandColby Woodenwould back up the interior.

Considering all those in the starting and rotational groups except Gary and Clark are on their first NFL contracts and still developing into the players the Packers projected them to be, the room for growth and progress exists.

Van Ness (6-5, 272) has enjoyed productive stretches in each of his first two seasons, buttheres certainly more expectedthan his career total thus far of seven sacks. Same for Wyatt (6-3, 304), who looked ready to break out last year with three sacks in the first month before an ankle injury appeared to derail his season.

In addition, Enagbare (6-4, 258) recorded three sacks and Cox (6-4, 250) four last season after the Smith trade, and Brooks (6-3, 296) has 7 sacks in two years a healthy total for a part-time interior player plus a game-winning field goal block in Chicago to his credit.

But the other lens shows reasons for concern.

First, the run defense's No. 7 ranking in coordinator Jeff Hafley's first season Green Bay's highest finish against the run in 15 years could be difficult to repeat with the departure of run-stuffer T.J. Slaton in free agency.

Moreover, both Gary and Clark are coming off of down years statistically in the pass rush after impressive 2023 seasons. Gary (6-5, 277) saw his sacks and QB hits drop from nine and 22 in his first post-ACL season to 7 and 15, respectively, while Clark (6-3, 314) didn't miss a game for a third straight year but was listed on the injury report with a toe injury for the bulk of the season. He had just one sack and four tackles for loss after 7 and nine the year before.

Overall, the reality in assessing last season is the Packers' run defense was reliable but the pass rush was not. It was wildly inconsistent, struggling the most in the biggest games on the schedule two each against the Lions, Vikings and Eagles (including the wild-card playoff).

So adding high-end talent to provide a boost and reinforce depth would make plenty of sense, and analysts consider this draft especially deep in defensive tackles.

Even if any draft additions wouldn't be instant starters given the current makeup of the unit, there are future considerations as well, with Clark entering Year 10, plus Enagbare and Wyatt in contract years (though the Packers could exercise Wyatt's fifth-year option by early May if desired).

The current roster also lists six developmental prospects on the D-line who have yet to establish themselves in the NFLDeslin Alexandre(6-3, 264) from Pitt,James Ester(6-3, 289) from Northern Illinois,Jeremiah Martin(6-3, 265) from Washington,Leonard Payne(6-3, 301) from Colorado,Keith Randolph(6-4, 296) from Illinois, andNesta Jade Silvera(6-2, 304) from Arizona State. There's no telling what the Packers have in them, but there's certainly no shortage in numbers or competition.

The bottom line is Gutekunst's words shouldn't be taken to mean the Packers are going to stand pat at the position group. He was establishing a belief in his players but also setting expectations for improvement, and there's a good chance he pushes them even more with what he does in this draft.

Pre-Draft Roster Series:

QB:Jordan Love looks to move forward after challenging 2024 season

RB:Josh Jacobs' addition was game-changer for Packers

WR/TE:Tucker Kraft, Luke Musgrave charge into Year 3

OL:Packers believe competition will bring out best in offensive line