“Big Jump” Expected in Year 2 for Packers TJ Slaton
By Paul Bretl
With just about all of the key contributors from the Green Bay Packers 2021 defensive unit returning, along with this group entering their second season under Joe Barry — which in itself could lead to a big jump given the familiarity and comfortability with the system — there is certainly the potential that we experience one of the better performing defenses that we’ve seen in Green Bay in some time.
However, if there is one specific area that the Green Bay Packers can still improve upon, it’s upfront against the run.
In 2021, the Packers allowed 4.7 yards per rush, which ranked 30th in all of football. While they also ranked 28th by run DVOA—both of which were worse than what we saw from this unit in 2020.
Now, when discussing the Green Bay Packers’ run defense, it’s always important to note that with Joe Barry’s defense, where the primary goal is to eliminate the big passing play, this run prevention unit is likely never going to be dominant—even with Kenny Clark upfront. But that also doesn’t mean they can’t be better either.
With just five interior defensive linemen on the 2022 roster at the moment, the Packers will have to add to this room prior to training camp. While the addition of Jarran Reed helps bolster the rotation, and we all look to the draft for ways that Green Bay can improve — and hopefully, they explore those options — the biggest boost that this unit could receive may already be on the roster in the form of TJ Slaton.
Slaton was a 2021 fifth-round pick by Green Bay and was on the field for 266 snaps last season, according to PFF ($$). We saw flashes, but as is the case with any rookie, let alone a Day 3 pick, Slaton battled inconsistency as he adjusted to the NFL level. However, there is nothing that we saw that shouldn’t have been anticipated, and his skill-set has the potential to benefit everyone around him.
Oftentimes for many successful NFL players, there is a big jump made between Years 1 and 2 of their NFL careers, and when IDL coach Jerry Montgomery met with reporters on Tuesday, he mentioned that he expects Slaton to fall into that category in 2022.
"“I’m expecting him (Slaton)to make a big jump from Year 1 to Year 2,” said Montgomery via Ryan Wood. Montgomery would also adds that Slaton can be a “dominant” run defender as well.”"
If Slaton does become that dominant run defender like Montgomery believes, there is the obvious in that the overall run defense by this Green Bay Packers defense should improve. This leads to more obvious passing situations and more opportunities for a stout Packers’ pass-rush to get after the quarterback, which should also create more turnover opportunities as well in the secondary.
But in addition to the obvious benefits, at 6’5” – 340 pounds, Slaton is going to line up in that traditional nose tackle role. There he will occupy double-teams and eat up space—this will help keep the linebackers clean from blockers, allowing them to flow towards the play while also freeing up Rashan Gary and Preston Smith from double-teams as well.
Slaton’s presence will also afford Barry more flexibility with Clark. In years past, Clark has been the primary nose tackle out of necessity and he was the one taking on double-teams, which to a degree, would limit his production.
However, if Slaton is able to hold his own in the middle, Clark has the freedom to move around more in search of more one-on-one opportunities—and that, of course, is a good thing. It’s not a coincidence that Clark took fewer snaps this past season in the A-gap and had one of his more productive years as a pass-rusher.
With his role, Slaton is likely never going to stuff the stat sheet — although, with his athleticism, I do believe he has upside to develop as a pass-rusher — but his teammates will feel his presence. When a defense has a dominant presence in the middle, there isn’t a position group that doesn’t benefit from having that player on the field.
With all of that said, as we know, there is no guarantee that Slaton has that jump or becomes that “dominant” run defender. But if he can, it will be a massive boost for this entire Green Bay Packers defense.