Predicting Packers’ three most improved positions in 2019
1. Edge rusher
First-round pick Rashan Gary has made an impressive start to training camp, according to various reports, including this one by Ryan Wood, Jim Owczarski and Tom Silverstein of Packers News.
A particularly exciting line from the article was that Gary “showed he’s picking up defensive coordinator Mike Pettine’s system well”.
It’s no guarantee that the Packers will get key contributions from Gary in his rookie year, but the early signs are good. And it’s likely Pettine will use him at multiple positions, including along the defensive line following the release of Mike Daniels.
Gary, alone, will help the Packers’ pass rush improve.
And we haven’t even mentioned Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith, yet. Two players who will start the season ahead of Gary on the depth chart at edge rusher.
Not many edge rushers get the better of All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari, but Za’Darius Smith has found some success at practice. According to Rob Demovsky of ESPN, Smith beat Bakhtiari twice on one-on-one drills on Tuesday, with Bakhtiari winning the battle at the previous practice.
Top 30 moments in Green Bay Packers history. light. More
The new additions made at edge rusher could lead to a dominant pass rush for the Packers this season. And with Gary and Smith making a good start to training camp, edge rusher could be the most improved position on the roster in 2019.