Green Bay Packers: Predicting the final 53-man roster
Outside linebacker (7)
Kyler Fackrell
Lerentee McCray
High expectations greet the Packers pass rush, a season after finishing seventh in the league with 43 sacks.
Clay Matthews moves back to outside linebacker following a season-and-a-half inside. Matthews and Julius Peppers working off opposite sides is a nightmare to defend. Peppers’ snap count is expected to decrease somewhat at 36-years-old, but he remains a vital piece to the pass rush.
Finally healthy, can Nick Perry finally reach his first-round expectations? Perry was outstanding in the playoffs last January, matching his regular season tally of 3.5 sacks. Again on a contract year, it’s a huge year for Perry.
Jayrone Elliott’s development and Datone Jones’ transition to “elephant” rusher will be key to the success of the pass rush. Achieving more consistency requires waves of pressure from everyone on the rotation. Elliott and Jones need to step up.
Kyler Fackrell—selected in the third-round of April’s draft—starts life buried on the depth chart, but a strong start to the regular season will soon see his role increase in the rotation. Fackrell’s potential in Dom Capers’ defense offers plenty of excitement.
Lerentee McCray offers depth on the pass rush rotation, his best work coming on special teams.
Next: Cornerback