Four years into his NFL career, defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt has yet to pay off the Green Bay Packers' investment. While the former Georgia star has shown flashes, consistency remains elusive. It's fair to say the Packers are probably in the red after using the No. 28 pick on Wyatt in the 2022 draft.
They also exercised his $12.94 million fifth-year option ahead of last season, keeping him under contract through 2026. Well, this is it. Wyatt must either prove himself worthy of an extension or likely end up elsewhere next offseason.
Part of the issue is his struggles staying on the field. Injuries have disrupted his development over the past two years. In 2025, he suffered a season-ending ankle fracture 10 games in. While it wouldn't be fair to blame Wyatt for his health issues, that is no doubt something Green Bay must account for in evaluating him this season.
Devonte Wyatt will enter year of reckoning as Packers assess his future
With the departure of Pro Bowler Kenny Clark, 2025 was Wyatt's first year as a full-time starter. Injury unfortunately kept him from finishing out the season, robbing him of a chance to grow into his role throughout a full 17-game schedule. At the same time, he did not give the Packers much to be impressed by.
Wyatt continued to get after the quarterback, compiling four sacks, 22 total pressures, and a PFF pass-rush grade of 71.4, which ranked in the top 22 percent. Against the run, however, he struggled mightily, ranking near the bottom among interior defenders with a run-defense grade of 38.7.
Although Wyatt improved at wrapping up his quarry - his blown tackle rate dropped from 20.7 percent in 2024 and 16.3 percent in '23 to 3.6 percent last season - he still proved vulnerable to lapses in focus. Especially without Clark, the Packers needed everyone to pitch in against the run. In that department, Wyatt failed to carry his weight.
His overall production hasn't been good enough for a former first-round pick, even a late one. Even if he simply reproduces his mediocre 2025 performance, Wyatt will command a decent contract on the open market if there are enough teams in need of defensive-line help. Spotrac projects his value at three years for $38 million. The Packers have already lined up a potential replacement in rookie third-rounder Chris McClellan.
The good news for Wyatt is that McClellan should boost Green Bay's run defense even as a rookie, allowing Wyatt to focus on rushing the passer and compensating for his deficiencies against the ground game. He'll have 17 games, if he can stay healthy, and hopefully more opportunities in the playoffs, to show the Packers he is all they believed he could be when they called his name on draft night.
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