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NFL Mocks: Muhammad Wilkerson is Packers’ most important move

By Freddie Boston

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 28: Muhammad Wilkerson #96 of the New York Jets reacts in the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at MetLife Stadium on September 28, 2014 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Ron Antonelli/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 28: Muhammad Wilkerson #96 of the New York Jets reacts in the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at MetLife Stadium on September 28, 2014 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Ron Antonelli/Getty Images) /
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Signing Muhammad Wilkerson was the Green Bay Packers’ biggest offseason move, according to a recent NFL Mocks article.

Wilkerson signed a one-year deal with the Packers worth just under $5 million in March. It’s a great deal for both Wilkerson and the Packers.

For Wilkerson, it gives him a year to prove himself. If he can play at a high level, he’ll earn a long-term deal next offseason. It was also a low-risk move for general manager Brian Gutekunst.

Sayre Bedinger of NFL Mocks believes signing Wilkerson was the Packers’ most important offseason move:

"“Green Bay already has one of the best interior defensive linemen in the NFL in Mike Daniels, and adding Wilkerson to the mix up front is going to make everyone on that defense that much better.”"

Mike Daniels and Muhammad Wilkerson on the same defensive line. That’s going to be fun to watch.

Bedinger has Jordy Nelson as the Oakland Raiders’ biggest offseason move. It’s going to be interesting to see how that one works out. Will Gutekunst regret releasing Nelson, or was it the right time?

Along with last year’s breakout star Kenny Clark, Green Bay could have a dominant defensive line this season. New defensive coordinator Mike Pettine must have been thrilled when he saw Wilkerson had signed. Arguably Wilkerson’s best work with the New York Jets was when Pettine was his defensive coordinator.

Wilkerson earned his best Pro Football Focus grade in 2012, Pettine’s final year in New York.

Head coach Mike McCarthy will be hoping Wilkerson’s arrival will help strengthen the team’s pass rush. While he wasn’t signed primarily to get sacks, getting additional interior pressure will also help the outside linebackers.

And Wilkerson has proved he can contribute to the pass rush in a big way. He posted 10.5 sacks for the Jets in 2013, and a career-best 12 sacks in 2015.

Do you agree that signing Wilkerson was the team’s biggest move this offseason?

It’s hard to pick one.

Was it the Jimmy Graham signing? He gives the Packers a dominant red zone target.

Next: Top 30 moments in Green Bay Packers history

Maybe it was selecting two of the draft’s premier cornerbacks, or trading for a 2019 first-round pick?

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