Green Bay Packers: 3 Defensive Linemen to Target in Free Agency
By Paul Bretl
Among the needs that the Green Bay Packers have to address this offseason, finding Kenny Clark some help inside isn’t a bad idea.
After spending big money in free agency on the defensive side of the ball in 2019, we saw this Green Bay Packers’ defense make huge strides in their overall performance. Led by Za’Darius Smith, the Packers had a top-10 scoring defense, forced turnovers, had one of the best red zone defenses in the game, and their DVOA ranking went from 29th overall in 2018 down to 15th.
However, there was one fairly prominent issue that lingered for much of the season and it was a big reason that they were blown out of the NFC Championship Game. And I’m sure you can all guess that I’m talking about Green Bay’s run defense.
Last season the Packers allowed 120.1 rushing yards per game, which ranked 23rd in the NFL. And truthfully, that number is a skewed a bit low. They really spent much of the season ranked around the 25 to 28 range, but a few solid performances at the end of the season against New York, Chicago, and Minnesota helped lower that stat.
One way that the Green Bay Packers can help to alleviate this issue a bit is by bringing in a more dynamic inside linebacker, which is something that they hopefully do. Another way is by providing Kenny Clark some additional help on the inside of the defensive front.
Up to this point, Montravius Adams just hasn’t panned out, Dean Lowry and Tyler Lancaster are nice rotational players, but have their limitations. Meanwhile Kingsley Keke certainly has the potential, however, he’s still young and unproven.
So although the Packers don’t have the spending power that they did just one year ago, allocating a portion of their salary cap space to an interior defensive lineman, certainly isn’t a bad idea. With that said, here are three players, at three different price points to target.