Green Bay Could Take A Defensive End Early

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 ends.

Part 6: DEFENSIVE END

PACKERS DEPTH CHART

By now, you know what seventh-year man Rashan Gary is. A try-hard player who’s a bridesmaid far more than the bride.

Gary traditionally ranks among the league-leaders in pressures. In 90 career games, though, he has just 39.0 sacks — one sack every 2.31 contests. The bottom line is he just doesn’t finish enough.

Lukas Van Ness, the Packers’ first round pick in 2023, had just three sacks, six quarterback hits and six tackles for loss last year. He now faces a critical Year 3.

Kingsley Enagbare and Brenton Cox add depth.

OVERALL NEED: 7.5

The Packers need a difference-maker here, and there will be some intriguing — but risky — options at pick No. 23 to add to their mediocre group.

THEY SAID IT

Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst on Lukas Van Ness: “We talked a little bit about we need to affect the quarterback more in our front four, with just four players, and Lukas is a big part of that. He does everything he can. He’s everything you want in a professional as far as his work ethic and what he puts into it, and I expect him to take a big jump this year.”

Van Ness on Green Bay’s defensive ends: “I think we have a great group. Whether we take two guys (or) we take nobody, I think we’re all going to come to work every day, we’re going to compete against each other for our spots, and we’re going to work hard. I love the guys we have in our room. I think we’re all hard-working, we love the game of football, and I’m excited to see what we can do together.”

Gutekunst on if the Packers could find a place for a 240-pound edge rusher: “You love those guys that can scream off the edge and come in on third down and that’s all they play and they play your 20 snaps a game tops, but they’re very effective. What happens is, is when injuries hit and they gotta play more, how does that affect ‘em? One, can they make it through a season going against 320-pound guys and then when you do have injuries and you need him to play 50 snaps, can he? So I think there is room for those kind of guys. I just think you gotta be kind of creative in how, from a roster management piece, how you use those guys.”

Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley: “I mean I want all these guys to have production. I mean, that’s like, the two things that I told you guys about, the only thing, like tackles for loss, the numbers, they are what they are. Sacks, the numbers, truthfully, they are what they are. You want to look at yards, you want to look at this, like all that’s great, I just want to win and I want each player to have as much success as they can because I want to help them and their futures and I want them to have success. Like those are the things that are important to me.”

POSSIBLE PACKERS?

Penn State’s Abdul Carter and Georgia’s Jalon Walker are two edge rushers that will be long gone by the time Green Bay selects. Here are five players, though, the Packers could take in Rounds 1 or 2.

• Mykel Williams, Georgia (6-5, 267) — Strong, long-armed (34’ 3/8”) player who’s an ideal fit in Green Bay’s 4-3 scheme. Production at Georgia (67 tackles, 14 sacks in three years) doesn’t match his physical gifts. Played through ankle injury in 2024. Explosive athlete with terrific length and big hands (10 ¼”). Projection: Round 1

• Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M (6-5, 270) — Classic boom or bust pick. Had a fantastic Combine where he shined in the 40-yard dash (4.58), posted a 40-inch vertical and led the group with a broad jump of 10 feet, 11 inches. Production doesn’t match physical gifts, though, as he had just 4.5 sacks in three seasons with the Aggies. Can be disruptive in both phases, but hasn’t come close to putting it all together. Projection: Round 1

• Mike Green, Marshall (6-3, 248) — Had a breakout 2024 campaign when he led the nation with 17 sacks. Also led the FBS with 22.5 tackles for loss. The problem is his first three seasons were completely non-descript. His 28 reps on the bench press were No. 1 among the group. Has had two allegations of sexual assault against him, denying both. Dismissed from the team at Virginia after playing his first two seasons for the Cavaliers. Might be a tough fit in Green Bay’s 4-3. Projection: Rounds 1-2.

• James Pearce, Tennessee (6-5, 248) — Explosive player who ran a blazing 4.48 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. Had 17.5 sacks over the last two seasons, including 10.0 in 2023. Many questions about his character. Best fit might be in a 3-4. Probably not heavy enough to play the run in a 4-3 scheme. Projection: Round 1-2

• Donovan Ezeiruaka, Boston College (6-2 ½, 248) — Played for current Green Bay defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley in college. Had a whopping 16.5 sacks last season. Would have to get bigger to play in Green Bay’s 4-3 scheme. Impressive short shuttle time (4.19) at the NFL Combine, which was No. 1 among all edge rushers. Projection: Round 2.

Previous Stories

Part 1 — Quarterbacks

Part 2 — Wide Receivers

Part 3 — Running backs

Part 4 — Tight ends

Part 5 — Offensive line