Green Bay Packers: 3 Defensive Linemen to Target at Trade Deadline

Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Mike Pettine talks to GM Brian Gutekunst during practice at Clarke Hinkle Field on Wednesday, September 26, 2018 in Ashwaubenon, Wis.Gpg Packerspractice 092618 Abw214
Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Mike Pettine talks to GM Brian Gutekunst during practice at Clarke Hinkle Field on Wednesday, September 26, 2018 in Ashwaubenon, Wis.Gpg Packerspractice 092618 Abw214 /
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With the trade deadline just about here, these are three defensive linemen that the Green Bay Packers should be targeting.

The NFL trade deadline is just a day away, and while many Green Bay Packers fans are focused on the wide receiver position – understandably so – perhaps an even bigger need is help along the defensive front. Which, as we saw during Sunday’s matchup with Minnesota, is still unable to stop the run.

Everyone knew that the Vikings path to victory was through Dalvin Cook, and yet, this Packer defense wouldn’t even come close to stopping him as he racked up 163 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Meanwhile, the 4.6 yards per carry that Green Bay is allowing this season ranks 21st.

While the Packers’ run defense was also an issue in 2019, where they thrived was putting pressure on the quarterback. However, that isn’t the case this season. Green Bay’s pressure rate – how often the defense forces a sack, a quarterback hit, or hurry – prior to Week 8 was just 17.4 percent and ranked last in the NFL.

So not only is the run defense porous, but they can’t get consistent pressure either. And now the defensive side of the ball has become a liability. With that said, this is still a Super Bowl caliber team when they’re firing on all cylinders, and if GM Brian Gutekunst wants to bolster this roster, then he should consider trading for one of these three defensive linemen.