The Green Bay Packers best pass rusher last season was Rashan Gary. The former Michigan star was leading the team in sacks with six when he was injured and lost for the season early in the Packers Week 9 game in Detroit. Gary is still rehabbing his injured knee and may not be ready to start the 2023 NFL season on time. Even if he plays in Week 1, he’s unlikely to be at 100 percent and may need to play on a strict snap count.
So where will the pass rush come from until Gary returns? Here are the Packers options and there are several:
Starting Edge Rushers Preston Smith and Kingsley Enagbare
Preston Smith led the Packers with 8.5 sacks. He finally played well last season in an even-numbered year. The key for Preston Smith is to remain consistent and give the Packers some pressure off the edge.
If Gary can’t play, second-year man Kingsley Enagbare is the leading candidate to start on the edge opposite Smith. The former South Carolina star had three sacks as a rookie and showed flashes of ability. He has looked good so far at OTAs and could provide some complimentary pass rush if he makes a second-year jump.
Green Bay Packers First Round Pick Lukas Van Ness
Van Ness is nicknamed “Hercules” for his size and physique. He has great speed off the edge but needs to develop some secondary pass rush moves to excel in the NFL.
While he is unlikely to start right away, Van Ness can be a part of the rotation and see action on obvious passing downs. This way, he can contribute to the pass rush while he learns the pro game. If he plays well, Joe Barry could expand his role.
The Green Bay Packers Defensive Line
Kenny Clark is more than capable of getting some push from the interior defensive line. The Packers are also hoping that Devonte Wyatt can do the same. The 2022 first-round pick from Georgia showed flashes of ability late last season but needs to make a significant second-year jump to be a factor in the pass rush.
Rookies Karl Brooks and Colby Wooden were drafted for their pass rush ability but it remains to be seen how much they’ll contribute as rookies. They may also see action in obvious passing situations early on.
ILB Quay Walker
Inside linebacker Quay Walker has great speed and defensive coaches have indicated they may use Walker to blitz the quarterback in his second year in the league.
Walker has the physical tools to rush the passer and may be used as a pass rusher either from the inside or on the edge.
The Packers hope enough of these options work well enough to get consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks in 2023. If they do and Gary returns to action later in the season, the defense could be formidable.
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