Green Bay Packers: PFF Ranks DL Unit Top-5 in NFL

Pro Football Focus has released its latest defensive line rankings for the 2020 season, and the Green Bay Packers’ unit makes the top-5.

One of several needs that many fans and national pundits thought that the Green Bay Packers needed to invest heavily in this offseason – whether via free agency or the draft – was along the interior defensive line to help give this run game a boost.

Last season the Packers’ run defense ranked 23rd in rushing yards per game given up with 120.1, and truthfully, that ranking was better than where they were for much of the season after some decent performances in December. But by and large, it was a liability for much of the year, and I’m sure we all still remember Raheem Mostert running wild in the NFC Championship Game.

While many are still wondering whether or not the Green Bay run defense has actually improved this offseason, when it comes to the Packers’ defensive front, there are certainly many more positives than negatives.

At edge-rusher, the dynamic duo of Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith put together monster seasons that included 25.5 combined sacks, 36 quarterback hits, 98 hurries, 167 total pressures, and 28 tackles for loss. For reference, in 2018, Clay Matthews and Nick Perry combined for 43 total pressures and five sacks.

And, of course, we can’t forget about Kenny Clark who has developed into one of the best interior defensive linemen in the game, and by Pro Football Focus’ metrics, last season he ranked top-10 in the NFL among all interior defensive linemen in stopping the run and getting after the quarterback.

So even though Green Bay may be lacking some experienced depth inside behind Clark, because of the three players mentioned above, in Pro Football Focus’ recent defensive line rankings, they were comfortable giving the Packers the fifth overall spot.

In the article, Pro Football Focus goes on to mention how dominant The Smiths and Clark were in 2019, especially as pass-rushers, but they also acknowledge that behind these three, there are some question marks.

After receiving a contract extension last summer, Dean Lowry saw his production drop in many key categories in 2019. While getting after the quarterback is never going to be his calling card, he has shown that he impact the run game, and Green Bay needs him to return to his 2017 and 2018 form this season.

As Pro Football Focus puts it, Lowry is a “solid contributor” but “may never be anything beyond solid.”

Behind Lowry along the interior, the Green Bay Packers are hoping that Kingsley Keke can take a step forward this year. Then there is Tyler Lancaster, who is another player that can help against the run but has proven to be more effective in small doses.

Meanwhile, the newly acquired Treyvon Hester is on his fourth team in four seasons but has experience appearing in 41 career games and like Lowry and Lancaster, is known more as a run defender than a pass-rusher. And when it comes to Montravius Adams, it’s really now or never.

At edge-rusher, the Green Bay Packers have a slew of young and talented players in Jonathan Garvin, Tipa Galeai, and Randy Ramsey, however, that third spot in the rotation behind The Smiths belongs to Rashan Gary.

Although many wanted to see the 12th overall pick on the field more often in 2019, the Packers had the luxury of bringing him along slowly, which seemed to pay off. While his overall numbers won’t leap off the stat sheet, from Weeks 14 through 16, Gary recorded a sack and five total pressures on only 27 pass-rush attempts. That’s an excellent pressure rate of nearly 19 percent.

Looking ahead to this year, as expected, Mike Pettine has already mentioned that Gary will see more playing time, particularly on early downs to help contain the run and inside on obvious passing situations.

Now having said all of that, does this defensive front have their unknowns? Of course they do, but which unit doesn’t? However, with Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith, and Kenny Clark coming at your quarterback for an entire game, a top-5 ranking is more than deserved.

All stats via Pro Football Focus (subscription required) and Pro Football Reference