The Green Bay Packers’ defensive unit has gone through a transformation. Since the end of last season, the team added Jarran Reed in free agency and drafted first-round defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt and seventh-round nose tackle Jonathan Ford. Meanwhile, the Packers let Tyler Lancaster and Abdullah Anderson go.
That’s an indication that general manager Brian Gutekunst understands how important it is to be dominant up front, even considering how talented the Packers’ secondary is. Zone Coverage talked to football analyst Ben Fennell, who works for CBS, NFL Network, and the Philadelphia Eagles — and he is also a must-follow for Packers fans on Twitter — to find out what the Packers plan with their new defensive line approach.
The Packers have added heavier players to the interior of the DL, like Wyatt, Reed, and Ford. Is that because of a desire to adjust to the one-and-half gap technique?
Firstly, I think they (and everyone) want more impact players. Secondly, they want more two-way players who can be effective and impactful against the run and pass. Guys like Dean Lowry, Tyler Lancaster, Billy Winn, Quinton Dial are average and one-dimensional. Reed has shown he can be a dominant two-way player, a stout run-defender who had a double-digit sack season. They hope Wyatt is similar. Scheme-wise, they want upfield disruptors, one-gappers, more than line-of-scrimmage dwellers. Disruption is production. Also, we need to look at Kenny Clark – his usage at NT is down year after year. They want to give him more 3T reps and find someone else to supplement snaps in the A-gaps.
Kenny Clark’s NT usage (defined by 1-tech or 0-tech)
- 2021 17% 140/823
- 2020 23% 160/699
- 2019 41% 401/968
- 2018 46% 331/716
Does Dean Lowry become dispensable?
Yes. He’s a great guy, reliable, smart. But not worth the dollar amount based on the impact he gives you.
Is Devonte Wyatt ready to be a contributor as a run-stopper, as well as he should be a disruptor? That’s a pretty important role if the Packers want to use lighter boxes.
Yes. Wyatt is ready, but I think Georgia did a phenomenal job finding ways to free up their stars to make plays. Now, they had a lot of stars, but I really liked how they gave them opportunities — for example, lots of stunts and twists to free up DL, even in run defense. And late line of scrimmage movement. It screws up blocking schemes and always allows these freak athletes to fly into backfields.
This question is not so much about the interior, but it’s still about the front. Are you concerned about the Packers’ lack of depth on the edge?
Yes. I thought a veteran signing late in free agency would’ve solidified the room with some insurance. Maybe someone like Jerry Hughes that is late in [his] career and wants to win. They clearly were looking at this type last year with the (Whitney) Mercilus signing. Also, remember, Quay Walker is a wildcard. UGA used him as a SAM sometimes. He will often be rushing, blitzing, inserting, QB spying on third down.
