Packers Have Draft Need on the Defensive Line

Packers defensive linemen Kenny Clark and Rashan Gary are two of 11 first-round picks the Packers have used on front four players dating back to 1998.

In 1998, after losing Super Bowl XXXII to the Denver Broncos, Packers General Manager Ron Wolf made one of his boldest moves of his tenure by trading up for North Carolina Defensive End Vonnie Holliday. Playing opposite Reggie White, Holliday made the NFL All-Rookie team and finished with eight sacks, the most of his 15-year career.

Since that selection, the Packers under Wolf, Mike Sherman, Ted Thompson and now Brian Gutekunst have selected an Edge player or interior lineman 11 times, the most amongst all positions since 1998.

These players include: 1998 Holliday, 2001 Jamal Reynolds, 2007 Justin Harrell, 2009 B.J. Raji and Clay Matthews, 2012 Nick Perry, 2013 Datone Jones, 2016 Kenny Clark, 2019 Rashan Gary, 2022 Devonte Wyatt, and 2023 Lukas Van Ness.

In comparison, the only other position group that’s close to the defensive front is defensive back with eight players drafted in Round 1 (or the first pick in Round 2): 1999 Antuan Edwards, 2004 Ahmad Carroll, 2014 Haha Clinton-Dix, 2015 Demarious Randall, 2017 Kevin King, 2018 Jaire Alexander, 2019 Darnell Savage, and 2021 Eric Stokes.

Heading into the 2025 draft, the defensive line is one of the strengths of the draft and it matches the Packers having needs along the front four.

The NFL Draft site GBNReport.com (https://gbnreport.com/2025-big-board) has 27 Edge Rushers and Interior Tackles among its Top 100 prospects before the Draft Combine at the end of the month. A few of the players who might be around when the Packers draft at the 23rd overall pick or in the second round:

• Defensive Ends – James Pearce, Tennessee; Mike Green, Marshall; Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M; Nic Scourton, Texas A&M; Jack Sawyer, Ohio State; Donovan Ezerauku, Boston College; Princely Umanmielen, Mississippi; JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State.

• Defensive Tackles – Walter Nolen, Mississippi; Derrick Harmon, Oregon; Kenneth Grant, Michigan; Deone Walker, Kentucky; Tyliek Williams, Ohio State; T.J. Sanders, South Carolina; Darius Alexander, Toledo.

For all of the first round assets used on the defensive front, the Packers pass rush was very inconsistent in 2024. Last year’s unit had four former first round picks: Gary, Van Ness, Clark and Wyatt. But with Wyatt going into his fourth year (the last of his rookie deal if his 5th-year option isn’t picked up) and with Clark approaching age 30, the defensive tackle position will likely be addressed in the draft.

In 2013, Ted Thompson drafted defensive tackle Datone Jones in Round 1 and three years later, he drafted Kenny Clark in round 1. This was the same offseason B.J Raji retired and Jones was being used more as an edge player than inside.

With the disappointment of both Wyatt and Van Ness to show they are not consistent difference makers, it would make sense to draft a few players early along the defensive front. And it was evident from the performance of the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl, the quality depth along the defensive line is as important as ever in the NFL.