Packers: Top 10 players to watch at training camp in 2020
![Green Bay Packers, Rashan Gary (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) Green Bay Packers, Rashan Gary (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Flombardiave-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2016-2F04-2F1194153437-850x560-956878baeff14be1eea72864c191402a8e2dbf7e5da2127b2684bc852b87fc98.jpg)
2. Rashan Gary
After a year of being able to develop his game and learn as a backup edge rusher, a lot will be expected from Rashan Gary in 2020. Gary is unlikely to overtake Za’Darius Smith or Preston Smith on the depth chart anytime soon, but he will have the opportunity to play on a bigger number of the defensive snaps this season.
According to Pro Football Reference, Gary played around a quarter of the Packers’ defensive snaps last year. As the 12th overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft, he’ll need to become a bigger contributor on defense in his second season.
That means rushing from the inside and the outside. He has the versatility to play at different spots, much like Za’Darius Smith, which will allow Mike Pettine to get them both on the field and move them around.
Gary lost snaps to Kyler Fackrell throughout the 2019 season. Improving his game is key to becoming a more consistent part of this defense. Can Gary make a second-year jump? If the answer is yes, the Packers’ pass rush will take another big step forward in 2020, giving this team one of the league’s best trio of edge rushers.
Gary’s role on defense, and how much he’s improved, will be something to watch this summer.