The Green Bay Packers took a big gamble by letting Dean Lowry and Jarran Reed walk in free agency and not signing anyone else to replace them.
The Packers’ defensive line line was lackluster in 2022, which isn’t all that uncommon. But Lowry and Reed played significant snaps for Green Bay and knew the defense. The Packers’ coaching staff certainly expects 2022 first-round pick Devonte Wyatt to step into a starting role, but they otherwise neglected the defensive line.
That gamble could pay off if this summer has been any early indication. Rookie defensive ends Colby Wooden (fourth round, Auburn University) and Karl Brooks (sixth round, the legendary Bowling Green State University) are making a splash early despite their late-round rookie status.
Not a week goes by without the duo making headlines in practice, and both have had strong preseason performances. The usual August caveats about preseason competition apply, and each player has some limitations. But the rookie duo should see heavy usage as rookies and can contribute to a surprisingly stacked defensive line rotation.
You’ve heard the story before — the Packers have needed to add help around Kenny Clark since he entered the NFL at the tender age of nine. A slew of late-round picks and cheap veteran free agents have attempted to plug the leak, but it’s never been quite enough.
It seemed like the Packers didn’t do enough to address the position again. Despite drafting Wyatt in the first round last year, he saw few snaps. He’s still working on translating his promising splash plays into a consistent performance. Two rookies didn’t seem like the answer, especially considering how difficult it is to identify pass-rush talent later in the draft.
But Wooden and Brooks are making a mark early on that is hard to ignore. Green Bay isn’t thrusting either of them into the starting lineup yet. But as rotational pieces, both rookies are tearing it up and giving the Packers some much-needed pass-rush ability.
Green Bay lost a lot of potential to beleaguer opposing quarterbacks last season with Rashan Gary out for the year. Still, there was always a lack of pressure from the interior. Wooden and Brooks are providing a much-needed spark, according to Matt LaFleur. “That’s the name of the game in this league,” he added.
Defensive coordinator Joe Barry has also been “very happy” with how quickly the rookies are developing.
In four years at Auburn, Wooden improved his sack total every year, ending his career with 14. He also forced three fumbles in his final season, using his quick hands and explosive athletic profile (9.25 RAS) to terrorize the opposing quarterback.
Brooks doesn’t have the same athletic testing profile as Wooden (5.88), but you wouldn’t know it by watching him this offseason. Green Bay’s biggest draft misses are when they stray from their types, but Brooks is an exception. Brooks was a man among boys in the MAC, clearly one of the conference’s best defenders with 27.5 career sacks, 167 total tackles, 46 tackles for loss, and five forced fumbles.
The rookie duo is bringing speed and general quarterback-hazing abilities as rotational pieces. The interior defensive line has looked much faster in practice, and the rookies have continued to bring that pressure against NFL opponents in joint practices and preseason games.
Brooks pressured the quarterback into throwing an interception in the first preseason game and lived in the backfield. He followed up in the second game by being PFF’s third-highest-ranked defensive player (78.8) and Andy Herman’s second-highest ranked (+0.65). Brooks led the team in pressures against New England with three.
Wooden also made his presence known against New England with two pressures. He was Andy Herman’s third-highest-graded defensive player of the night (+0.45).
Brooks and Wooden even had a few excellent plays against the run, which we know Green Bay desperately needs. Both players are more pass-rush specialists than run blockers. But as you’ll see in the clip below, the coaching staff can use them in creative ways on more than just obvious passing downs.
So far, both players look like draft steals. Still, it’s incredibly early. Their consistency is a good sign, but we’ll need to see this same level of play against higher levels of competition, and both players will need to continue developing against the run.
It’s far too early to say the defensive line is fixed. But, for once, there is a good reason to be excited as we see Wooden and Brooks continue to develop and make plays day after day.
