Analyst Ranks Green Bay Packers Defensive Line Above Average

The Green Bay Packers defensive line underwent some massive changes this offseason. The biggest reason for that was because of the coaching change made at defensive coordinator.

For the last three seasons, Joe Barry had been using a 3-4 base defense. That meant the team’s edge rushers would be standing up as outside linebackers. But, Barry is no longer the coordinator.

That job now falls upon the shoulders of Jeff Hafley. The former Boston College head coach will be taking over the Green Bay Packers defense in 2024 and beyond. While his philosophy is different from Barry, the scheme change is a big one.

Hafley runs a 4-3 base, which means the edge rushers will be playing defensive end with their hand in the grass. Rashan Gary, Preston Smith and Lukas Van Ness are considered defensive linemen now along with Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt and Karl Brooks.

As a result, the Green Bay Packers defensive line has been ranked as one of the best in the NFL. Over at PFF, Sam Monson has ranked Green Bay’s positional group as No. 11 in the league.

There is a lot to like about this group of defensive linemen. The Green Bay Packers have an excellent blend of established veterans, up-and-coming younger players and young depth pieces with high upside.

If players such as Van Ness and Wyatt, two of the team’s first-round picks in the last two years, can take steps forward with their development, this group will rise in the rankings. Complementary players such as Brooks and Brenton Cox Jr. could also help this group break into the top 10 during the season.

This is a well-rounded group that gets production from several players. Eight different players recorded multiple sacks, with six of them reaching at least 4.0. Five players had double-digit quarterback hits and eight had at least five tackles for loss.

A group on the rise, Hafley has a lot of talent to work with. The Green Bay Packers look like a team that can generate pressure without consistently having to bring pressure and blitzes.

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