Packers' recent draft pick may already be on the hot seat after latest rumor

The Green Bay Packers' defensive line took a step forward last season. Devonte Wyatt, Karl Brooks, and T.J. Slaton became significant contributors after the Packers moved on from Dean Lowry and Jarran Reed in free agency.

Sixth-round rookie Brooks stole the show, making four sacks, five quarterback hits, and six tackles for loss in his first season. The Packers found a rising star on Day 3 of the draft.

Another rookie lineman, Colby Wooden, had a quieter year. Wooden still made plays, finishing with half a sack, two quarterback hits, and one tackle for loss, but he didn't make the same impact as Brooks.

Wooden played the fewest snaps of any Packers defensive lineman last season. While Green Bay will want to see him continue his development, what happens if they add to the position this offseason?

Their pre-draft work suggests they might.

Packers' interest in defensive linemen in 2024 NFL Draft is bad news for Colby Wooden

Kenny Clark, Wyatt, Brooks, and Slaton are roster locks. The Packers will likely keep five or six defensive linemen on their 53-man roster. Wooden is currently the fifth choice, but his roster spot could be in jeopardy if the Packers make any significant moves at the position.

The Draft Network's Justin Melo has interviewed several draft prospects this offseason, including defensive linemen Khristian Boyd and Myles Murphy, who are projected mid-round picks. They both discussed their conversations with the Packers.

"I feel like the Packers showed me a lot of love," Boyd told Melo.

North Carolina's Murphy also highlighted Green Bay as one of the teams that "showed a lot of interest" in him.

It seems the Packers are doing their homework on the defensive linemen in this year's class. Boyd and Murphy would push Wooden for a roster spot, and both were among the standout performers at the Shrine Bowl.

"Boyd looked like a future NFL player all week during Shrine Bowl practices," writes Trevor Sikkema of PFF. "In one-on-one drills, he was consistently in the backfield against both centers and guards."

The Packers will meet with a lot of prospects before the 2024 NFL Draft, but their interest in the interior defensive linemen at the Shrine Bowl is notable. They already have four roster locks at the position, leaving room for only one or two more players to make the 53.

Wooden is only entering year two, but he might not be guaranteed a roster spot in 2024.

More Packers news and analysis