Green Bay Packers 2019 roster preview: Kyler Fackrell
Can Kyler Fackrell put up double-digit sacks for the second year in a row?
One of the biggest surprises for the Green Bay Packers in 2018 was Kyler Fackrell, who led the team in sacks and quickly became one of the most important players in Mike Pettine’s defense.
Can Fackrell make a similar impact this season?
2018 stats
Fackrell played in all 16 regular season games, setting career-highs in sacks with 10.5, and tackles with 42. Fackrell had more than twice as many sacks in 2018 than in his first two seasons combined.
2018 review
Where would the Packers defense have been without Kyler Fackrell? Just about every other edge rusher on the roster disappointed in 2018, and let’s not forget that many analysts didn’t even think Fackrell would make the 53-man roster last September.
Not only did Fackrell make the Packers’ roster, but he led the way with sacks and was tied for 17th in the league.
Fackrell also had two three-sack games, with perhaps his best performance coming on the road against the Seattle Seahawks.
Odds of making roster: 100 percent
There’s no doubt about whether Fackrell will make the roster this time. After making a huge impact in Mike Pettine’s defense last year, he’ll be a key part of the pass-rush rotation in 2019.
What to expect in 2019?
As Clay Matthews and Nick Perry underperformed, Fackrell became the Packers’ number one edge rusher. He won’t needed to take on that role this year with the Packers adding Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith via free agency, and Rashan Gary in the first round of April’s draft.
Fackrell will, however, still be an important part of the rotation. The best defenses are able to rotate their pass rushers and still get consistent pressure on the quarterback, so Fackrell will still have a key role to play in Pettine’s defense.
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Was Fackrell’s impressive season a one-off, or can he build on it? That’s the biggest question for Fackrell this year.