Countdown to camp: Packers' D-line looks to dial up more pressure

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Countdown to camp: Packers' D-line looks to dial up more pressure

Packers
18 Jul 2025, 19:30 GMT+

Green Bay also aims to replicate its 2024 success vs. the run

Wes Hodkiewicz

"Countdown to camp" is a position-by-position overview of the Packers' roster heading into training camp. The series continues with the defensive line.

GREEN BAY The Packers have a new defensive line coach and a fresh perspective entering the 2025 season.

Former New England defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington has replaced Jason Rebrovich as the leader of Green Bay's defensive front. His task will be to build on a strong 2024 season against the run while developing a more consistent pass rush.

He has two established Pro Bowlers to aid that endeavor inKenny ClarkandRashan Gary, who both did their part this offseason to rally a position group with many familiar faces.

Clark, in particular, welcomed teammates into his home during the nine-week offseason program for pizza, wings and film review. The study sessions were an opportunity to review what the unit did well in 2024, including the Packers' first top 10 finish vs. the run in 15 years, and where it must improve.

Getting Clark back to full health is a good start. The three-time Pro Bowler sustained foot and toe injuries in the regular-season opener in Sao Paolo, Brazil, and never fully recovered.

The 29-year-old defensive tackle played in all 17 regular-season games but finished with his fewest tackles (37), quarterback hits (five) and sacks (one) since his rookie campaign in 2016. He had surgery immediately after the season to address the issue.

With Clark limited, former first-round pickDevonte Wyattstepped up in a big way during the first month of the season (10 tackles, five QB hits and three sacks) before an ankle injury sidelined him for a month.

The 6-foot-3, 304-pound defensive lineman returned against Jacksonville in Week 8 but didn't record his next sack until a 30-13 win over Seattle in Week 15. He still led Green Bay's defensive interior with nine QB hits and five sacks in 14 games.

The Packers have a 6-foot-4, 330-pound void to fill in their defensive line, though, after run-stuffer T.J. Slaton signed with Cincinnati. The former fifth-round pick didn't miss a game the past four seasons while recording 134 tackles (67 solo).

Third-year veteransKarl BrooksandColby Woodenare the top two candidates to see those snaps. The 6-foot-3, 296-pound Brooks has been a find as a former sixth-round pick out of Bowling Green, racking up 44 tackles, 11 QB hits, 7 sacks, six passes defensed, and five fumble recoveries in two seasons.

Wooden, a fourth-round pick in that same 2023 draft, has packed more weight onto his 6-foot-4 frame to become stouter inside. The former Auburn standout has 37 tackles and a half sack in 30 NFL appearances.

The Packers added two more Georgia Bulldogs to go along with Wyatt on the third day of this year's draft, selectingWarren Brinsonin the sixth round and signing 6-foot-4, 327-poundNazir Stackhouseas an undrafted free agent.

Brinson (6-5, 315) and Stackhouse each played 59 games for Georgia from 2020-24, winning back-to-back national titles.

On the edge, the Packers bring back all five defensive ends from last season while adding two rookie draft picks,Barryn SorrellandCollin Oliver.

Gary, 27, is coming off his first Pro Bowl campaign after leading the Packers' defense in both QB hits (15) and sacks (7). The 6-foot-5, 277-pound edge rusher also had his best season against the run in the minds of many en route to tying his career high with 47 tackles.

The starting spot opposite Gary remains up for grabs among former first-round pickLukas Van Ness, fourth-year veteranKingsley Enagbareand promising pass rusherBrenton Cox Jr.

Van Ness, who turned 24 earlier this month, is seeking a breakout in Year 3 after amassing 62 tackles, 16 QB hits and seven sacks over his first two seasons.

After avoiding surgery following an ACL scare against Dallas in January 2024, Enagbare played in all 17 games last season while posting new career highs in tackles (39) and sacks (4).

Although the pass rush sputtered at times, Green Bay received a boost in the second half of the year after Cox stepped into the lineup following Preston Smith's midseason trade to Pittsburgh.

The 6-foot-4, 250-pound edge rusher needed just 160 snaps over seven games to produce 12 tackles, seven QBs hits, four sacks and a forced fumble. Third-year vetArron Mosbyis also back after recording 12 tackles, two passes defensed and a half sack.

Joining the returning five are Sorrell (6-3, 254) and Oliver (6-2, 240), who play the same position but possess very different body types and skill sets.

Sorrell gained national attention forattending the NFL Draft prior to his fourth-round selection. He enjoyed a productive four-year run at Texas in which he registered 132 tackles and 15 sacks.

Oliver, who played both defensive end and off-ball linebacker at Oklahoma State, debuted in Stillwater with an 11-sack freshman season but played just two games his senior year due to a Jones fracture that required season-ending foot surgery.

Also competing for roster spots are practice-squad holdoversJames Ester(6-3, 289) andDeslin Alexandre(6-3, 264), veteransCameron Young(6-3, 304) andNesta Jade Silvera(6-2, 304), and undrafted rookieKeith Randolph(6-4, 296).