Dairyland Express
Fansided

Packers’ 2020 Depth Chart Projections: Outside Linebacker

By Brian Sampson

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 23: Linebacker Kyler Fackrell #51 of the Green Bay Packers and outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith #55 celebrates a sack against the Minnesota Vikings during the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 23, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 23: Linebacker Kyler Fackrell #51 of the Green Bay Packers and outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith #55 celebrates a sack against the Minnesota Vikings during the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 23, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Projecting what the Green Bay Packers’ depth chart at outside linebacker could look like heading into training camp of the 2020 season.

A position of strength for the Green Bay Packers heading into the 2020 season is certainly outside linebacker. They used a lot of resources last year to shore up the position including big money in free agency and the 12th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. The good news is it worked.

The Packers have a chance for an incredibly strong rotation at outside linebacker including Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith, and last year’s top draft pick Rashan Gary.

Z. Smith signed a four-year, $66 million deal with Green Bay last offseason and lived up to the hype during his first season. He posted 55 total tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 37 quarterback hits and 13.5 sacks–all career-highs. As great as he was on the field, he made equally positive contributions in the locker room. Smith was one of the main reasons the Packers clicked so well off the field as well.

His running mate, P. Smith, was also super effective against both the run and the pass. He also put up career-highs in sacks (12), combined tackles (56), tackles for loss (11) and quarterback hits (23). He was also stout against the run, forcing teams into an impossible task of choosing which Smith they wanted to play toward.

OLB1: Za’Darius Smith

OLB2: Preston Smith

OLB3: Rashan Gary

OLB4: Randy Ramsey

OLB5: Tim Williams

OLB6: Jonathan Garvin

OLB7: Greg Roberts

OLB8: Tipa Galeai

OLB9: Delontae Scott

The Packers allowed their top backup in Kyler Fackrell to walk in the offseason, but have second-year pro Rashan Gary waiting in the wings. Gary may have been disappointing from a production standpoint in his rookie year, but the coaches are adamant he made constant progress last season. Gary has all the physical tools imaginable, he just has to put it together on the field.

Between Smith, Smith, and Gary, defensive coordinator Mike Pettine has three players with the potential to wreak havoc on offenses. He showed a willingness to move Z. Smith and Gary inside last season and could do more of that in 2020.

Randy Ramsey is the last player whose likely to make the final roster and wrap up the outside linebacker position. An undrafted free agent out of Arkansas last year, he spent the entire season around the Packers’ organization which gives him a leg up on the competition. He doesn’t have elite athleticism but was productive in college.

Packers' Depth Chart Projections: Defensive Line. dark. Next

His biggest competition will come from Tim Williams, Jonathan Garvin, Greg Roberts, and Tipa Galeai. Perhaps, the job is Williams’ to lose. He was a third-round pick in 2017 and is coming over from the Baltimore Ravens. Despite an underwhelming start to his career, he might have the most natural talent of this group. Galeai might need a year or two to add muscle, as he figures to be at a weight-disadvantage in the NFL, while Garvin put together a very productive career at Miami.

Home/Green Bay Packers