The Green Bay Packers' pass rush was arguably the most disappointing part of their 2024 defense. According to ESPN, the unit ranked 26th in pass rush win rate. Rashan Gary led the team with 47 pressures, but that was only good for 31st among all edge rushers. 

The lack of a consistent pass rush was a key issue highlighted by Brian Gutekunst in his season-ending press conference. “We didn’t grow into that consistent front like we had hoped,” he admitted. Days later, the Packers parted ways with defensive line coach Jason Rebrovich and hired longtime Patriots assistant DeMarcus Covington to fill the role.

Green Bay is backing Gutekunst’s message about the urgency to compete for a championship. Changing defensive line coaches was a necessary first step, but there’s still plenty of work to be done.

The Packers need to address their pass rush this offseason, and I expect them to be active in both free agency and the draft. However, I’m not a fan of Gutekunst using Green Bay’s first-round pick on a pass rusher this year.

Pro Football Focus lists six edge rushers in the top 22 of their big board. Abdul Carter is the most NFL-ready edge rusher in the draft and arguably the best player overall, making him the one prospect who could start immediately for Green Bay. While it’s unlikely all six top edge rushers will be gone by the time Green Bay picks, Carter won’t be available at pick 23. James Pearce Jr., Mykel Williams, and Mike Green are also prospects who could be off the board by that time.

Shemar Stewart, Nic Scourton, and Jack Sawyer should all be available when Green Bay picks, but they would be developmental projects. That’s not a knock on their talent, but what do they offer that Green Bay doesn’t already have with Lukas Van Ness and Brenton Cox Jr.? This defense needs players who can contribute immediately, not another rotational piece.

Green Bay could trade up if they’re heavily invested in one of the top edge rushers, but they simply don't have the same draft capital they enjoyed in the past two years. Would Gutekunst be willing to give up extra picks when the Packers also need help at cornerback, wide receiver, and on the interior offensive line?

I don't believe a pass rusher with high college production and upside will be available at pick 23. That's why I expect Gutekunst to address Green Bay's pass rush issues in free agency. Khalil Mack is the most interesting name, and given Gutekunst's track record of pursuing him, it wouldn’t be surprising if they make a move. Chase Young and Josh Sweat are also viable options. To put things in perspective, Mack recorded 49 pressures last season, two more than Rashan Gary, despite playing one fewer game. Sweat recorded 54 pressures, while Young tallied 66. All three would have been Green Bay’s most productive pass rusher this past year.

It makes more sense for Gutekunst to address the pass rush in free agency. Green Bay has a much better chance of finding a starting cornerback in the first round than an NFL-ready pass rusher. Adding to the urgency, Eric Stokes, Corey Ballentine, and Robert Rochell are all free agents, and Jaire Alexander’s future with the team is uncertain. Green Bay needs both starters and depth at cornerback. Meanwhile, the Packers have already made their pass-rush investment. Gary, Van Ness, Cox Jr., and J.J.Enagbare are all under contract for 2025. 

You could argue that the cornerback Green Bay hypothetically selects at No. 23 might not start right away. However, their chances of finding a defensive back who can contribute immediately are much higher than landing a pass rusher with both proven college production and high upside. Those guys are usually off the board by pick 15. 

The Packers also have the healthiest cap space they've had since 2019, which positions them to be active in free agency. With names like D.J. Reed and Paulson Adebo expected to hit the open market, Gutekunst could take a similar approach to cornerback as with the pass rush. The key difference between those groups is that Green Bay already has its No. 1 pass rusher in Rashan Gary, along with depth behind him. But if Jaire Alexander’s time with the team is coming to an end, the Packers would lack both a clear starter and reliable depth at cornerback. That makes addressing the position a much higher priority.

Drafting a developmental project is not necessarily a bad move, as it could pay off in two or three seasons, but 2025 is not the year for doing that in the first day of the dratt. The Packers have made the playoffs in the first two years of the the Jordan Love era, and as Gutekunst said in the press conference, they need to competing for championships. This means shifting away from his usual roster-building philosophy. Green Bay needs to draft to win now, and their first-round pick should be used on a player who can start immediately.

I’d expect the Packers to add new pass rushers, through both free agency and the draft. Yes, they’ll likely draft another developmental pass rusher, but it can’t be in the first-round. Green Bay is in a prime position to compete for the division and potentially more. The Lions have lost most of their coaching staff, including both coordinators, the Vikings' quarterback situation is uncertain, and the Bears will have a rookie head coach. Brian Gutekunst must ensure the roster is in the best position to succeed, and that starts with addressing key needs with adequate talent.