Now that franchise icon Aaron Rodgers is with the Jets, the Green Bay Packers are going through major changes. Fourth-year quarterback and former first-round pick Jordan Love will now take over after three years of sitting behind Rodgers. On offense, Love will be supported by superstar running back Aaron Jones along with a plethora of really young, talented receiving options, including wide receivers Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and tight end Luke Musgrave.
However, much of the Packers success in 2023 will depend upon the improvement of the team’s defense. More specifically, the pass rush must improve after finishing with the fifth-lowest number of team sacks in 2022. Thus, linebacker Kingsley Enagbare could be the hidden gem that elevates the Packers defense in 2023.
Kingsley Enagbare Is the Hidden Gem for the 2023 Green Bay Packers
Kingsley Enagbare’s Rookie Season
After earning first-team All-SEC honors in his senior season at South Carolina, the Packers drafted Kingsley Enagbare in the 5th round, with the 179th overall pick, of the 2022 NFL Draft. In his rookie season, Enagbare played in all 17 games, starting in seven. Enagbare registered three sacks and eight quarterback hits as a rotational pass rusher for the team.
Although Enagbare recorded subpar overall statistics, he demonstrated the strength and explosiveness to become a disruptive pass rusher in the league. According to Pro Football Focus, Enagbare was first in pass rush win rate among all rookies with at least 150 defensive snaps. Moreover, Enagbare finished the season strong. In the team’s last eight games, Enagbare led the team with 18 pressures.
Amidst uncertainty on when superstar pass rusher Rashan Gary will return to the lineup following an ACL tear in early November of last year, Kingsley Enagbare will have to play a crucial role for the Packers in 2023.
How Will the Packers Gem Fare in 2023?
Aside from former Pro Bowler defensive lineman Kenny Clark and outside linebacker Preston Smith, the Packers will be relying on several young players to bolster their pass rush and overall defense. Notably, the Packers have interior defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt, a first-round pick in 2022, along with defensive lineman Lukas Van Ness, who the Packers drafted 13th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.
While the Packers are hopeful that the versatile Van Ness can play all along the defensive line and along the edge, he is likely to show growing pains in his rookie season as he will be tasked with a lot of responsibilities. Thus, the Packers will likely need someone to step up who can rush the quarterback off of the edge and effectively stop the run.
Standing at 6’4 and weighing 265 pounds, Enagbare has both the size and the skills to become a strong and consistent pass rusher for the Packers in his sophomore season. As the Packers come into a sort of transition season, much-maligned defensive coordinator Joe Barry must continue to develop the young pass rushers on the team to make life more difficult for opposing quarterbacks.
With Preston Smith entering this season on the wrong side of 30 and Gary coming off a significant knee injury, the Packers will need Enagbare to improve upon the impressive play he showed at the end of last season. If Enagbare and the other young pass rushers on the team can improve and turn the team’s weak point into a strength, then the Packers could end up surprising many people and contend for the playoffs.
Main Photo: Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images
