Former Michigan defensive lineman Kenneth Grant (78) was a load during his college career.
The NFL Draft begins April 24 and the Green Bay Packers have the 23rd pick in the first round. Between now and then, I’ll examine Green Bay’s current situation at each position and how likely the Packers are to take a player for that group.
Today, we’ll look at the defensive tackles.
Part 7: DEFENSIVE TACKLE
PACKERS DEPTH CHART
Kenny Clark’s tremendous career could be nearing the end after he posted just one sack and 37 total tackles last year. Devonte Wyatt set career highs in sacks (5.0) and tackles for loss (9.0) in 2024, but he remains an inconsistent player.
Mammoth T.J. Slaton left for Cincinnati in free agency. And Karl Brooks and Colby Wooden probably aren’t more than role players.
OVERALL NEED: 5.5
The group could use a jolt, and there will be some highly intriguing players on the board at No. 23.
THEY SAID IT
Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst on his defensive front: “We’ve got to be able to get after the quarterback with four. We’ve got to affect the quarterback more with just four players. How we do that will probably evolve and we’ll see how that goes, but those guys have to get a little better and be more consistent.”
Packers defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt on the Packers’ 4-3 base: “I can say this: I definitely do love the system we’re in. I definitely think for sure it fits us a lot — I’m a lot more comfortable and I can move a lot faster. Just being aware of what’s going on in the system. But definitely playing in this system for this first year, it gives me an advantage for next year and being in this system again.”
Gutekunst on this year’s class of defensive linemen: “The numbers are high. I think that it’s an interesting year overall. I think the COVID and the NIL and everything has kind of caught up to where the numbers, particularly in that third day of the draft, are as high as I’ve seen them. I just think there’s a lot of guys that came back for their fifth and sixth years – a lot of 24-, 25-year-old players in this draft. Obviously, over the past three or four years, the guys who are going to go in the top of the first round, those guys came out. Those guys don’t ever really stay in. But a lot of the other guys had options because of the NIL and the extra years they had, so I think that’s catching up so the numbers are really, really high, especially in that third day.”
POSSIBLE PACKERS?
Michigan’s Mason Graham is a potential top-5 pick. After that, though, opinions differ and a handful of promising tackles could be on the board for Green Bay at pick No. 23 — and in the second round. Here are five players the Packers could take in Rounds 1 or 2.
• Kenneth Grant, Michigan (6-3 ½, 330) — Inconsistent wide body who had 11.5 TFL’s and 6.5 sacks in last two seasons. Was sensational against eventual national champion Ohio State in 2024, when the Wolverines pulled a stunning upset. Some believe with the right coaching he can be a better pro than Mason Graham, his Michigan teammate. Projection: Round 1-2
• Walter Nolen, Mississippi (6-3 ½, 300) — Played two seasons at Texas A&M, then transferred to Mississippi. Also played at three high schools and was enrolled at IMG Academy. Had 11 ½ sacks, 114 tackles and 26 TFLs as a collegian. Run defense grade of 91.6 by Pro Football Focus last season was second only to Michigan’s Mason Graham. Projection: Round 1-2
• Derrick Harmon, Oregon (6-4 ½, 320) — Part-time starter during three years at Michigan State, then transferred to Oregon in 2024. Had 116 tackles, 8 ½ sacks and 18 TFLs during his college career. Long arms (34 3/8”) and huge hands (10 3/8”). Impressive combination of size, strength and length. Projection: Rounds 1-2
• Alfred Collins, Texas (6-5 ½, 332) — Spent five years at UT, finishing with 7.5 sacks and 16 TFLs. High-effort player who won’t wow you in one specific area, but is solid across the board. Has size and versatility, but production has been inconsistent. Long arms (34 5/8”) and good sized hands (10”). Projection: Round 2
• Tyleik Williams, Ohio State (6-3, 329) — Run-stuffing tackle who helped the Buckeyes win the 2024 national championship. Had 11.5 sacks and 27 tackles for loss during impressive four year career in Columbus. Short arms (32”), but big hands (10 ¼”). A load inside and might be able to play all three downs. Projection: Round 2
Previous Stories
Part 1 — Quarterbacks
Part 2 — Wide Receivers
Part 3 — Running backs
Part 4 — Tight ends
Part 5 — Offensive line
Part 6 — Defensive ends
