Green Bay Packers Host Fresno State IDL Kevin Atkins on Visit

In addition to trying to improve their defensive line rotation, the Green Bay Packers simply need bodies at this point. Currently, there are just five interior defensive linemen under contract this season and only two under contract in 2023.

The Green Bay Packers need to add to this position; however, the big question is, when? It should certainly be on Brian Gutekunst’s radar early on.

But a late-Day 3 candidate, or perhaps he could even go undrafted, is Fresno State’s Kevin Atkins, who was reportedly a top-30 visit with Green Bay, according to Aaron Wilson.

Atkins measures in at 6’2” – 314 pounds, and has good length with 33.75″ arms. At his pro-day, he would participate in the vertical and broad jumps, posting 31.5″ and 8’07”, respectively, along with 14 reps on the bench press.

He is a very experienced player, with five years of playing time at Fresno State, which includes 2,423 career snaps. For his career, Atkins would record 97 pressures, including three seasons with at least 20, 17 total sacks, and 31 tackles for loss.

This past season was his most productive as Atkins’ 30 pressures were tied for the 19th most among interior defensive linemen, according to PFF ($$). He also recorded eight sacks, which were tied for the second-most among all interior defensive linemen, and 13 tackles for loss. Against the run, he ranked 96th out of 193 eligible interior defensive linemen in PFF’s run-blocking grade.

He would spend a majority of his snaps lined up in the B-gap, but does have over 200 snaps in the A-gap and 447 lined up over the offensive tackle. Atkins was also on the field for 286 career special teams snaps as well.

For more on Atkins’ game, Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network had this to say about him in his pre-draft report:

"“Positives: Explosive interior defensive lineman who can be used as a traditional tackle or a 3-technique lineman. Displays an explosive first step off the snap, easily moves about the field, and uses his hands to protect himself. Bends his knees, plays with terrific pad level, and easily alters his angle of attack or changes direction.Negatives: Does not play to his size and gets stood up at the point by blockers. Easily moved from his angle of attack. Inconsistent.Analysis: Atkins is a prospect who was highly thought of by scouts, yet he never really met expectations. He possesses the size and style to play in a variety of schemes but must really start to play to his level of ability.“"

As already mentioned, Atkins is likely a later Day 3 pick or he may even go undrafted, however, he has the experience, and especially this past season, some impressive production when it comes to getting after the quarterback.

At least right away, Atkins will need time to develop, but as already mentioned, the Green Bay Packers are very much in need of bolstering their depth at this position, both in 2022 and beyond.