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Green Bay Packers post-draft position review: Edge rusher

By Freddie Boston

ANN ARBOR, MI - SEPTEMBER 08: Jon Wassink #16 of the Western Michigan Broncos runs the ball and is tackled by Rashan Gary #3 of the Michigan Wolverines in the second quarter at Michigan Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - SEPTEMBER 08: Jon Wassink #16 of the Western Michigan Broncos runs the ball and is tackled by Rashan Gary #3 of the Michigan Wolverines in the second quarter at Michigan Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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The Green Bay Packers have made significant changes at edge rusher. Will the pass rush be better in 2019?

Now that the draft is over, we can take a look back at the Green Bay Packers‘ moves to fix their pass rush.

The depth chart looks completely different after the offseason moves, but will the Packers’ pass rush be improved this season?

Let’s take a look at the edge rushers on the roster and what to expect in 2019.

Currently on the roster

Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith, Rashan Gary, Kyler Fackrell, Kendall Donnerson, Reggie Gilbert, Randy Ramsey, Greg Roberts

Offseason moves

The Packers made big changes at edge rusher. They let Clay Matthews walk in free agency, and he would go on to sign with the Los Angeles Rams. Green Bay also released Nick Perry.

GM Brian Gutekunst added pass rushers Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith in free agency, before using the 12th-overall pick in the draft on another edge rusher, Rashan Gary.

Improved from 2018?

Yes.

With Matthews and Perry combining for just five sacks last year, the Packers knew they needed to make changes. They’ve now added two young, talented pass rushers in Za’Darius and Preston Smith, and also used an early pick at the position.

Key player

Rashan Gary.

You could make a case for either Gary or one of the two Smiths here, but I’m going with Gary as the Packers used such a high draft pick to get him. While Gary doesn’t necessarily need to become a starter early in his career thanks to the two free agency additions, if he can live up to his potential, the Packers could have a superstar pass rusher.

The key for Gary will be turning potential into production as he only had 9.5 sacks in three seasons at Michigan.

Position outlook

Expect more production from the Packers pass rush in 2019. The two Smiths will likely be the Day 1 starters, and it’ll be interesting to see how Mike Pettine uses Gary on defense in his rookie season. Teams that can consistently pressure quarterbacks don’t just rely on one or two premier pass rushers, and the hope is that the Packers now have the depth they need.

Kyler Fackrell, who led the team with 10.5 sacks in a breakout 2018 season, no longer needs to be the number one edge rusher on the team. He’ll be part of the rotation, giving the Packers a deep group at the position.

The Green Bay Packers spent big to fix their pass rush. Now we need to see results on the football field.

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