Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Packer Plus
Clark, Lowry are now the leaders
Clark, Lowry are now the leaders
Green Bay — In mid-July, the Green Bay Packers defensive line was largely what it had been the past couple years: a stable group that served as the foundation for the rest of the unit. Then on July 24, Mike Daniels was released on the eve of training camp in a move that saved $8,312,500 on the salary cap. Daniels was two years removed from a Pro Bowl selection and, though he dealt with injury last season, was still considered in his prime having just turned 30. The surprise move came just one day after defensive lineman Dean Lowry received a contract extension — a three-year, $20.35 million deal that included $6 million in guaranteed money. Kenny Clark, meanwhile, might be the Packers’ best defensive player, and free-agent newcomers Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith and first-round rookie Rashan Gary are also expected to play a fair amount of snaps on the line. There is plenty of uncertainty — and, to be sure, a good bit of potential — with so many new pieces on defense.
Defensive line
Roster locks: Kenny Clark, Dean
Lowry.
Good bets: Montravius Adams.
On the bubble: Fadol Brown, Tyler Lancaster, Kingsley Keke, James Looney.
Long shots: Deon Simon, Olive Sagapolu.
Biggest offseason move
The decision to release Daniels was a major move, but choosing not to retain veteran Muhammad Wilkerson was fairly significant too. The Packers were intent to move on even before Wilkerson was arrested June 1 for driving while intoxicated. Wilkerson signed a one-year, prove-it deal a year ago, and though he didn’t appear to be as explosive as a pass rusher, he was solid early. Then his year ended when a teammate rolled into his leg during a play at Washington, breaking it. The DWI arrest didn’t help quell concerns over Wilkerson’s past, but an almost season-long injury is no small thing for a lineman who has shown diminished production and turns 30 in October.
Position battle
Adams, a third-round pick in 2017, figures to be the fourth defensive lineman entering the season, at least on the depth chart. But he’ll have to earn that spot. Adams is big and athletic, a commodity in the NFL, but he’s had a quiet first two seasons. A year ago, Lancaster, an undrafted rookie, occasionally outplayed Adams. Position coach Jerry Montgomery said Adams improved as the season progressed. “He was a lot different player last year than he was the year before,” Montgomery said. “So he’s taken the right steps.” Montgomery said he was pleased with Adams’ conditioning at the start of the offseason. Adams will need to continue his development in what’s shaping up to be an important training camp.
Keep an eye on
Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith and Gary might be listed as outside linebackers, but they’re going to be on the defensive line plenty. While Za’Darius Smith and Gary are most likely to put their hand on the ground, all three have cross
trained this off-season between the edge and interior. In doing so, the Packers’ defensive line is more athletically diverse than it has been in years. In past seasons, Clay Matthews and especially Nick Perry would move inside occasionally on passing downs, but neither had the defensive line pedigree that Za’Darius Smith and Gary possess. Their additions will make for some interesting decisions on playing time.
Prediction
Clark makes his first Pro Bowl. For Packers fans, that might not seem very bold. Keep in mind, the NFC is loaded with interior defensive linemen. A year ago, the conference’s Pro Bowl roster featured Los Angeles Rams star Aaron Donald, Philadelphia’s Fletcher Cox and Chicago’s Akiem Hicks, who combined for 38.5 sacks. More than half of those came from Donald (20.5), who was perhaps the NFL’s best player.
Cox and Hicks might fill out the top three across the league at their position. And that doesn’t include Carolina’s Kawaan Short (though Short replaced Donald on the Pro Bowl roster when the Rams went to the Super Bowl), Atlanta’s Grady Jarrett or six-time Pro Bowler Gerald McCoy. So, yes, there will be a lot of competition in the NFC, but Clark showed signs last season he can be as disruptive an interior pass rusher as almost any defensive lineman. His six sacks weren’t much fewer than Hicks’ 71⁄2, and that was with Clark missing three games because of injury. Considering he doesn’t turn 24 until October, Clark is still young enough to develop at another level this season.