Green Bay Packers 2019 roster preview: Reggie Gilbert

Reggie Gilbert can be an important part of the Green Bay Packers’ pass rush this season.

How good will the Green Bay Packers‘ pass rush be in 2019? A lot of that will depend, of course, on the new edge rushers on the roster. The Packers were aggressive in free agency to sign Za’Darius and Preston Smith, and also used a first-round pick to add more pass-rush talent with Rashan Gary.

But just as important is the depth on the roster. Every strong pass rush needs contributions from the entire depth chart, which is where Kyler Fackrell and Reggie Gilbert come in.

Can Gilbert contribute with five or six sacks this season?

2018 stats

Gilbert played in all 16 games, making 38 tackles, 2.5 sacks and a career-best eight quarterback hits.

2018 review

After an excellent preseason, the expectation was that Gilbert would play a key role in the Packers pass rush. But after making 3.5 sacks in the preseason, Gilbert had a total of just 2.5 sacks in 16 regular season games.

Outside of Kyler Fackrell, all of the Packers’ edge rushers struggled to get sacks. As a result, the Packers brought in Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith and Rashan Gary this offseason.

Odds of making roster: 60 percent

Even with the offseason additions, the Packers need depth at edge rusher, and Gilbert can provide that. With Clay Matthews and Nick Perry gone, Gilbert can be the team’s fourth or fifth pass rusher on the depth chart. But Gilbert will still need to play well at training camp as there will be competition for places on the 53-man roster.

What to expect in 2019?

Can Gilbert bounce back after a disappointing 2018 season? The pressure won’t be on to be one of the Packers’ top edge rushers, but they’ll need him to also contribute with sacks. For Green Bay’s defense to dominate, it’ll need production from its entire pass rush throughout the season.

Gilbert played on 45.68 percent of the team’s defensive snaps a year ago, according to Pro Football Reference. That number could drop slightly this season with the two Smiths, Gary and Fackrell playing the majority of the defensive snaps.