Instant Takeaways: Packers select Bowling Green IDL Karl Brooks at pick 179
By Paul Bretl
The Green Bay Packers continue to add to the defensive front, this time taking Bowling Green interior defensive lineman Karl Brooks with the 179th overall pick. Here is what you need to know and my instant takeaways form the selection.
– As I said in my write up about Colby Wooden, the Packers should add another interior defender to this roster. They are now up to seven interior defenders, and will likely sign at least one undrafted free agent to continue building out the depth. The play of the defensive front, against both the run and the pass, was a big reason behind the overall improvement from the defense. If Green Bay can find consistency in the trenches, the entire defense will benefit, and be better off.
– Brooks stands 6’3” and weighs 303 pounds. He posted a Relative Athletic Score of 5.87, however, when it comes to the interior defensive line, that is one position where Brian Gutekunst has been all over the board in that regard.
– Like Wooden, Brooks is another versatile defender. He has 211 career snaps lined up in the B-gap, 718 over the offensive tackle, and 1,441 at edge rusher. With the Packers, he will be an interior defender.
– During the 2022 season, Brooks was downright dominating. According to PFF, Brooks totaled 63 pressures, 12 sacks, and 36 stops. He was the to graded run defender at either edge rusher or interior defensive lineman, and ranked sixth in pass rush win rate. Packers Director of Football Operations Milt Hendrickson called him a man amongst boys.
– To sum up Brooks’ game in one word, I would use “disruptor.” He finished his Bowling Green career with 46.5 tackles for loss, 27.5 sacks, and six forced fumbles.
– In terms of how the Packers will utilize Brooks, that remains to be seen, in part because he was so good against both the run and the pass while being able to play multiple positions. He has the potential to be an impact player on all three downs.
– For more on Brooks’ game, Lance Zierlein of NFL.com wrote this in his pre-draft scouting report:
"“The inclination to shrug off Brooks’ production based on level of competition — or because of questions about his positional fit — might be a mistake. Brooks’ snap quickness, footwork, hand usage and motor are all translatable play qualities. His movement and counters are intuitive, allowing for quick access into the backfield. Against the pass, he frequently beat tackles as a bull rusher off the edge. Brooks has the size of a three-technique but the versatility and athleticism to move around a defensive front. He flashes disruptive, three-down talent as a future starter in a one-gap scheme.“"