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Green Bay Packers 2018 roster preview: Muhammad Wilkerson

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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What can we expect from the Green Bay Packers’ new signing along the defensive line, Muhammad Wilkerson?

Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said he planned to be more aggressive in free agency, and he was, signing both defensive tackle Muhammad Wilkerson and tight end Jimmy Graham in March.

The Packers’ defensive line was its strength on defense last season, and now it will get even better with Wilkerson’s arrival.

What can we expect from Wilkerson in 2018?

2017 stats

Playing 13 games for the New York Jets, Wilkerson made 46 tackles, 3.5 sacks and an interception, the second pick of his career.

Odds of making roster: 100 percent

Wilkerson was brought in for a reason. He will give the defensive line an upgrade, working alongside Mike Daniels and Kenny Clark. Wilkerson ensures defensive coordinator Mike Pettine has more depth to work with along the line, which means he can rotate players in and out more frequently.

2018 preview

This was a great signing for the Packers. For Wilkerson, it’s a chance to prove he can still play at a high level.

At his best, Wilkerson was among the best defensive linemen in the entire league. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2013, and has been a second-team All-Pro twice.

But his contract in Green Bay — a one-year, $5 million deal, according to Spotrac — means he’ll need to play well to receive a long-term contract next offseason.

Working with Mike Pettine as defensive coordinator, who coached him in New York, and playing alongside Daniels and Clark, I expect Wilkerson to have a strong season in Green Bay.

Sayre Bedinger of NFL Mocks believes signing Wilkerson was the Packers’ most important move of the offseason. And he may be right. While Brian Gutekunst didn’t add an edge rusher in free agency or early in the draft, Wilkerson will help strengthen the pass rush by providing interior pressure, which is something Pettine has made a priority.

Next: Top 30 moments in Green Bay Packers history

Packers fans should be excited about the arrival of Wilkerson. He will help turn a very good defensive line into a potentially great one. And that will benefit Green Bay’s entire defense.

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