6 Realistic Green Bay Packers Draft Predictions
By Paul Bretl
Prediction No. 3: Green Bay Packers take an edge rusher in Round 1
Edge rusher may not jump out as a big need for this Green Bay Packers team, with Rashan Gary finishing third in total pressures last season along with Preston Smith finishing in 10th, but I can assure you it is.
Edge rusher is one of the most important positions in football, after all, the name of the game is getting after the quarterback, but it is also one of the more heavily rotated positions as well–which means depth is very important. As good as Smith and Gary were in 2021, there was a very noticeable lack of impact plays and issues against the run when those two were on the sidelines, which occurred on about one-third of the defensive snaps.
OLB coach Jason Rebrovich mentioned wanting to have a rotation of four edge rushers each week. Well, we know who two of those players are, but those third and fourth spots are going to be up for grabs. As previously mentioned, this is a very deep edge rusher class, we know that the Packers will spend premium picks on it, and it’s one of those positions where you can never have too much depth. Add it all up, and selecting a first-round edge rusher is a very Packers-thing to do.