Packers: Projecting Rashan Gary’s impact as a rookie

Many people were surprised when the Green Bay Packers drafted Rashan Gary number 12 overall out of Michigan. Here is what his rookie year could look like in Green Bay.

Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith were the biggest signings the Packers have made in many, many years. The two edge rushers spent the first day of OTAs lining up as outside linebackers, even though both of them have spent the vast majority of their time in the NFL with their hands in the dirt as traditional defensive ends.

Clearly, the Packers felt they had a weakness at defensive end when they drafted Gary, who felt more like a pick for need rather than the best player available. Gary is also nursing a shoulder injury that the team is still learning the full extent of. Assuming the two Smiths are primarily stand-up outside linebackers, Gary will have to play significant snaps for the Packers this season, if not start right away in Week 1.

The Packers could come into this season with the best defense they have had since their Super Bowl run. Preston and Za’Darius Smith, while not superstars, are both extremely productive defensive ends that will make the defensive front substantially better than it has been in a long time. Add to that the fact the Packers might be very good at safety after a vomit-inducing year at the position last year, and things are looking up.

Jaire Alexander also has sky-high potential after an impressive rookie season. Josh Jackson and Oren Burks didn’t provide much as rookies, but the pressure is off of them to produce immediately.

Gary has an important, but simple job ahead of him. With the new pass rushers flanking him, defensive coordinator Mike Pettine will line him up all over the defensive line, and attempt to get as many one-on-one looks for Gary as possible. In the middle, Kenny Clark is entering what should be his best season yet before he approaches a contract extension, and Mike Daniels, while laughably overrated and surely out the door after this coming season, is still solid in the middle.

It will be interesting to see whether or not the Packers prioritize using Gary as a run defender on first downs, or a primary pass rusher on passing downs. While his sack numbers at Michigan were pedestrian, he was consistently double and triple teamed which allowed teammate Chase Winovich to come down with all the numbers. Gary was also a stout run defender.

Between Preston Smith and Rashan Gary, the Packer run defense will be much improved from a season ago. But given the fact that Montravius Adams, Dean Lowry, and James Looney simply aren’t talented enough to add too much to the pass rush, Gary’s role could be very big right away.

At the end of the day, Gary probably won’t be in the starting lineup on opening night against the Bears, but he will be an enforcer for the Green Bay defense all season long. The Packers may have made an excellent pick at number 12.