For a team that has a young and exciting offense, the Packers need to address their defense. Heading into 2024, the Packers defense will look different in a few ways. New coordinator Jeff Hafley is moving from a 3-4 defense to more of a base 4-3 scheme. This doesn’t mean the defense will only run 4-3. There will still be an emphasis on versatility from Hafley’s players. But edge rusher is and will remain a premier position for any team.
Green Bay bolstered its depth at edge rusher by drafting Lukas Van Ness in 2023. Also, Preston Smith just reworked his deal to give the team cap relief. Smith can earn much of his lost money back, depending on how many sacks he records in 2024. But beyond 2024, it appears unlikely that Smith remains a Packer.
Three Edge Rushers the Packers Need to Target
In free agency, premier edge rushers rarely hit the open market. Green Bay is also a team that often eschews spending cash on free agents. That means guys like Danielle Hunter and Chase Young are not likely to suit up for the Packers in 2024. Factor in the likely franchise tags for Brian Burns and Josh Allen, and the market looks depleted.
Dorance Armstrong Jr.
One free agent that could fit the Packers is Dorance Armstrong. Coming out of Kansas, Armstrong had strong tape but was seen as a raw prospect. He had the intangibles of an early-round pick but fell to the fifth round. Dallas picked Armstrong and molded him into an upper-tier pass rusher. Adding Armstrong would give the Packers a replacement for Smith down the road. By infusing the defense with a veteran like Armstrong, Green Bay can use Rashan Gary in different ways. Hafley has said he wants to maximize his players’ skills, and Gary is about as well-rounded as they come in terms of players on the front seven. Mixing up the looks up front would give Gary more opportunities to apply pressure, and free up other players to create turnovers. That starts with adding a player like Armstrong who can slide in and make an impact on the edge right away.
A.J. Epenesa
Epensa is another young pass rusher who is starting to hit his stride. He would bring juice to the Packers defense. Epensa was seen as a potential first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Looking back on the class, it’s fair to say that it was loaded. Epenesa’s fall in the draft became Buffalo’s bounty. After a few years of learning under Sean McDermott, Epenesa is on the verge of becoming a big-time edge rusher. His physical tools and power as a pass rusher could make him an excellent addition to the front seven. With Epesna in the fold, Kenny Clark could assume more of his natural position as a defensive tackle. Devonte Wyatt could also be moved around the defensive line to exploit mismatches with his size and speed.
Marcus Davenport
The two aforementioned pass rushers should fetch big contracts. But Davenport could be signed at a bargain. After failing to stay healthy in Minnesota, Davenport again enters the open market as a buy-low player. And there are ties between Davenport and Green Bay. The New Orleans Saints moved up in a trade with the Packers to select Davenport in the 2018 NFL Draft. It took Davenport a few years to develop, but he finally hit his stride at the end of his tenure with the Saints. Minnesota inked him to a one-year deal in 2023, so there’s a chance he will take a similar deal in 2024. Davenport is the epitome of a buy-low player who comes with upside. This sort of signing is out of character for the Packers. But given the success they have seen on offense, the team could try to load up on defense in 2024. Davenport is one of the three edge rushers the Packers need to target.
Main Photo: Geoff Burke – USA Today Sports
