Packers 2020 offseason position review: Edge rushers
The Green Bay Packers’ pass rush was much improved in 2019.
The Packers made major changes at edge rusher in the offseason by moving on from longtime starters Clay Matthews and Nick Perry, bringing in free-agent additions Za’Darius and Preston Smith, as well as first-round pick Rashan Gary.
GM Brian Gutekunst understood the need for change at the position, and he hit a home run in free agency by signing the Smith Bros.
Here’s a look back at 2019.
2019 season review
Getting consistent pressure on quarterbacks was the number one goal of Mike Pettine’s defense in year two. Matthews and Perry both struggled in 2018, leading to Gutekunst making significant changes.
Za’Darius Smith was among the best edge rushers in all of football and deservedly made the Pro Bowl, even though he had initially been snubbed. Smith was a difference-maker in the Packers defense and easily their defensive MVP in 2019. He finished the regular season with 13.5 sacks, 37 quarterback hits and a forced fumble. Smith ranked eighth among edge defenders in ESPN’s pass rush win rate metric.
Preston Smith also had a dominant season with 12 sacks, 23 quarterback hits, an interception, a fumble and four pass defenses. He ranked 10th among edge defenders in pass rush win rate.
Rashan Gary didn’t make the impact the Packers would’ve hoped in his rookie season, but that’s not all on him. Due to the success of the Smith Bros., Gary only played on 24 percent of the defensive snaps in the regular season, according to Pro Football Reference. Gary finished the year with two sacks, three quarterback hits and a fumble recovery.
Gary’s second season will be important. He showed potential this year and could become an excellent pass rusher for the Packers given more opportunities.
Perhaps the biggest concern is that in the NFC Championship Game loss to the San Francisco 49ers, Gary only played three defensive snaps compared to 20 for Kyler Fackrell, according to Pro Football Reference. It’s a worry that in a game the Packers struggled defensively, Mike Pettine didn’t give Gary more opportunities.
What’s next in 2020?
The Packers’ pass rush took a huge step forward this season, but the next step will be to get more contributions from Gary and the backup edge rushers.
Fackrell is a free agent, so adding more depth to the position could be necessary if he doesn’t’ re-sign.
Depth is the only concern about this position entering 2020. The Smith Bros. combined for 25.5 sacks in the regular season, compared to a total of three sacks for every other edge rusher on the roster.
A lot of that is due to the snap counts. The Smiths were on the field a lot. But if one of them is to get injured in 2020 or if they don’t match this season’s production, the Packers will need to be able to rotate in their other edge rushers and continue to generate pressure.
If Gary can make a second-year jump and the Packers improve the depth at the position, the pass rush will continue to make improvements in 2020.