The Packers Still Need More Experienced Depth at Edge
By GilMartin
The Green Bay Packers approach to free agency has changed this offseason. Instead of addressing major needs with players in their 20s who will likely be there for several years, GM Brian Gutekunst has added several older players who will likely be short-term replacements for players lost in free agency or via trades. But there is one specific position the team still needs to address with another veteran and that is at edge rusher/defensive end.
Neither of the Packers 2025 starters at defensive end will be on the active roster for Week 1 of this season. Gutekunst traded Rashan Gary to the Cowboys for a fourth-round pick. Obviously, Gary’s lack of production in the second half of last season and his very high salary made him a cut candidate. Gutekunst did well to get anything in return for him rather than just cutting him outright.
The other starter, Micah Parsons, will likely start 2026 on the PUP list as he rehabs from his torn ACL that he suffered in Denver last December. Even if somehow, Parsons is on the active roster to start the season, he will likely be on a play count and not be ready for full-time duty.
The Packers also opted to allow Kingsley Enagbare, the third defensive end on the depth chart last season, to depart in free agency. Enagbare signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the New York Jets. While it would not have made sense for the Packers to pay Enagbare that amount of money to stay, his loss leaves the team with a noticeable lack of depth at defensive end/edge rusher.
Lukas Van Ness would be the presumptive starter at one spot. The former Iowa star is a former first-round pick, but he, too, is unproven and has only started two games in his first three NFL seasons. The Packers hope Van Ness produces this year as he takes on a bigger role, but it’s unclear if he will be productive. If he gets injured during the preseason, the Packers could be in even more trouble.
In addition, the Packers lack a clear-cut candidate to start on the other side. Presently, second-year players like Barryn Sorrell and Collin Oliver would be the players the Packers have to fill that need. Neither has much experience nor have they proven they are ready to start in the NFL.
Sorrell saw more action as a rookie, playing in 14 games and starting the season finale against the Vikings. Even with that start, he still played just 20 percent of the Packers defensive snaps in those 14 games. He recorded 1.5 sacks and 15 total tackles including one tackle for loss.
Oliver played just one game after spending most of the season on PUP list. He showed promise in that game, the Week 18 loss to the Vikings, making one tackle for loss and recording two quarterback hits, but was still on the field for just 31 defensive plays.
The Packers could certainly use a veteran presence at defensive end. It doesn’t have to be a long-term commitment or even a standout player. But somebody who could serve as a bridge to start until Parsons is ready to return and to play a full game and somebody who could perhaps mentor players like Sorrell and Oliver for one season until they’re ready to assume a bigger role.
The Packers will likely address edge rusher or defensive end in the draft this year, but again, the Packers don’t have a first-round pick this season or next. Also, most rookie pass rushers need some time to adjust to the speed and talent of the NFL game before they’re ready to make an impact.
Adding a low-cost veteran on a one-year deal would make sense for the Packers and would not have a major impact on the team’s compensatory draft picks for 2027. Whether Gutekunst will address this need via free agency or a trade remains to be seen, but the team lacks proven talent to open the season at this vital position, and it must be addressed somehow before the start of the 2026 campaign.
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Comments (76)
Savage57
March 19, 2026 at 06:38 am
I'm guilty of being a fan boy for him, but a lot of my optimism about the Packers Edge/DE group is riding on Brenton Cox, Jr's. shoulders.
Gute might look to pick up some unsigned FA detritus after April 27th that won't cost the team a comp pick, and do some camp-cut dumpster diving.
Guam
March 19, 2026 at 07:54 am
I was surprised the author never even mentioned Cox in his article. Cox, when healthy, has been a good pass rusher and effective against the run too.
With the addition of Hargrave and the return of a healthy Wyatt the interior DL should be in pretty good shape versus the pass. With LVN, Cox and Sorrell on the edge for the first few games, the Packer pass rush should be okay and when Parsons returns they will have a solid four man rotation there.
I wouldn't mind seeing a veteran pass rusher added to the group, but he will only be really needed for the first few games while Parsons is getting back up to speed. I wouldn't want Gute offsetting a comp pick just to plug a hole for a few games.
murf7777
March 19, 2026 at 09:27 am
Guam, Cox wasn’t just good, he was very good during the second half of 2024 when he received a lot of playing time. He was one of the best Edge players with pressures and sacks during that time period. I’m also fine with another Edge on a 1 year deal, but not sure any are worth taking away time from our two second year players who do show promise.
Guam
March 19, 2026 at 09:53 am
I'm a Cox fan too but didn't want to over sell him after his injuries last season. He was very solid the last half of 2024 and I would love to see him get a good shot at being a starter in 2026.
LambeauPlain
March 19, 2026 at 11:28 am
Style points for using "detritus". Well done.
But Mr. Stackhouse, himself a detritus, would like a word...in the backyard. Bring your mouthguard.
Lphill
March 19, 2026 at 06:50 am
I think Cox and Sorrell will do fine along with Van Ness , why bring in someone that will take away reps from the young guys ?
Cheezehead72
March 19, 2026 at 07:05 am
I laugh at the idea that signing a veteran will automatically take away reps from a younger player. The goal is to have the best team. To have the best team you play the best player whether it is a veteran or a rookie. The rookie has to beat out the veteran but sometimes the veteran has to beat out the rookie.
dobber
March 19, 2026 at 07:34 am
I tend to agree. At this stage, there's "leaning into the players on your roster" so you can put resources elsewhere, and there's "not signing players because you want to give young guys a chance." The second isn't something you do when you're making decisions to win now. I know you didn't like the Parsons deal, but that's a commitment to try to win now.
A win now move would be to bring in a vet to play in Parsons' place and opposite Parsons when he returns. The Packers--outside of Parsons--like to rotate their edge defenders and with Gary and Enagbare gone (and no additions, yet), even signing one guy leaves plenty of snaps to go around for the first quarter of the season. If a guy (maybe Cox...maybe Sorrell) emerges, then he pushes someone out. Maybe you deal a pass-rusher at the deadline.
It could be that player comes later, but NOT reinforcing the edge with a guy who can get you meaningful snaps Week 1 is playing Russian roulette with your pass rush.
Guam
March 19, 2026 at 08:06 am
I wouldn't underestimate the addition of Hargrave and the return of Wyatt for an impact on the Packer pass rush. The pass rush doesn't always have to come from the edge.
I wouldn't mind an additional edge to start the season, but cost and comp picks are a factor in that decision. I wouldn't want Gute surrendering a comp pick just to shore up the edge position for a few weeks at the start of the season. GP61 has been lobbying for Epenesa or Clowney and either of them makes some sense as they wouldn't compromise a comp pick and aren't expensive.
I still think Gute needs to balance the future versus the present and not push all his chips into the middle on this year.
Edit: I think Epenesa just signed with Cleveland.
Cheezehead72
March 19, 2026 at 09:09 am
Yes Espenesa did sign with Cleveland
Coldworld
March 19, 2026 at 09:01 am
Parsons is experienced, LVN is entering his 4th year. Those are likely the starters. It’s not that inexperienced to start off with at a position where youth often thrives. I’m fine with Cox and Sorrell and want them getting snaps.
Perhaps sign a player (vet or draft pick) behind them? In part that depends on how Oliver is intended to be used. Given the nebulous understanding of what our D will look like, Oliver could be a full part of the rush group or a situational ILB/OLB. If he’s mainly a rush threat then perhaps one more larger body would be helpful at the back end of the rotation.
At the back end, it doesn’t much matter if the player is a rookie or veteran though, just that he can hold up in the run game as a baseline. What we want are the bulk of the snaps taken by Parsons,LVN, Cox, Sorrell and Oliver (on passing downs mostly) anyway.
Since'75
March 20, 2026 at 03:05 pm
"The goal is to have the best team. To have the best team you play the best player..."
^Kudos^
That should always be the mindset.
Learning and developing should be done in camps, and practice.
Not in real games if that player isn't the best option.
golfpacker61
March 19, 2026 at 08:36 am
Because we lost our #2 & #3 Edge rushers. I am excited to see what B Cox can do with more snaps. We better hope the injury bug has left GB because we are weak @ CB, OL, DL, Edge, TE, and that's a huge amount of position groups to have holes at.
Plus our best Edge and TE are coming off knee injuries that will see them miss early games in 2026. Signing FAs is about filling hole and needs with experienced, proven players that can help right away. Unlike the draft where you might get 1-2 draft picks to contribute their first year. Magnified by the fact we don't pick until at least #52.
We should have signed A J Epenesa for the $5 million, with incentives, that the Browns stole him for.
LambeauPlain
March 19, 2026 at 11:34 am
I am with you golf.
I did not know about Epenesa until you commented on it. I don't understand why Gutey didn't immediately call the Browns and beg Ed Policy for forgiveness after he made that deal.
Maybe Gutey and Policy have something else in mind? A certain Edge from the desert? Someone who has a healthy respect for Gannon and Parsons?
SicSemperTyrannis
March 19, 2026 at 05:59 pm
Thank you! I thought I was losing my mind, Cox is still on the team even though he's not mentioned in the article. It seems to me that increasing his snap count to a staple rotational player should be a no-brainer for our coaches, a minimal adjustment for him, and what if his production stays at a similar rate?
PhantomII
March 20, 2026 at 08:40 pm
to win
Cheezehead72
March 19, 2026 at 07:06 am
I thought we solved all out edge rushing issues last year. Oh that's right I did not think that most of the people here thought that. Times ticking on whether it was a good trade or not.
GregC
March 19, 2026 at 08:06 am
It's just math. They lost two players at the position in the off-season, and they probably need to replace at least one of them.
Coldworld
March 19, 2026 at 09:10 am
We barely had Cox or Oliver last season. One could argue that the replacements are already here. Sorrell and Cox at 3 and 4 seems to have more productive potential and both need more snaps as will Oliver.
We will almost certainly see Gute dig up prospects for camp depth. Perhaps one of those proves to be worthy. However, absent a true diamond in the rough find, these guys should be there in case of injury ideally. Maybe Dante Barnett, our Pathway player. He’s athletically similar to Maxx Crosby. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if he could actually play?
GregC
March 19, 2026 at 10:41 am
Yeah, they could roll with the guys they have. Unfortunately, they have been injured a lot. So maybe bring in one more guy. If they are all still standing when Parsons comes back, the Packers will have a good problem on their hands because they will have to cut one of them.
Coldworld
March 19, 2026 at 11:08 am
We will undoubtedly bring in more depth on the 90. My point is more that those 5 starters aren’t a bad jumping off point. If injury hits, then we need depth certainly, but if it doesn’t that starting group would actually seem a potential upgrade over last year, particularly rush threat wise.
I’m always up for improving, but a mid level vet of those still out there (I liked the Epenesa idea if not at Cox’s expense) doesn’t seem particularly likely to lift the group materially, only deepen it.
Cheezehead72
March 19, 2026 at 09:15 am
I know that I was stating my displeasure with the trade last year. This is what you have to consider before you give up so much for one player.
murf7777
March 19, 2026 at 09:35 am
I tend to agree about the trade, this isn’t basketball where one player can make the difference. Except for QB, any one player rarely gets you over the top in football. That’s why I dislike paying top money and high draft picks for one non QB player. . That said, of course, both of us would be ecstatic if this worked out and we won the big one.
EricTorkelson
March 19, 2026 at 11:48 am
Hey murf777, remember one player named Reggie White
Cheezehead72
March 19, 2026 at 11:57 am
Here is the DL the year we went to the Superbowl and Reggie got DPY, White, Dotson, Brown, Jones. We do not have a DL that is even close. It was not all Reggie. He was good but he had a lot of help. That was a very good if not one of the best DLs.
EricTorkelson
March 19, 2026 at 03:19 pm
Ok Cheeze ... Getting back to how one player can make a difference , of the four DL you mentioned above ... two of those more than likely would not have wanted to play in GB back then if not for Reggie White being on the team. That's another way how one dynamic player changes an organization.
murf7777
March 22, 2026 at 12:07 pm
Eric, Reggie didn't win us the SB. He was very important with his sacks and all, but without him, I still think Favre leads us to a SB or two.
Oppy
March 19, 2026 at 09:38 am
Parsons is literally worth 2 1st and the contract. Obviously, injury is a limiting factor to the production, but you can’t forecast injuries. He’s a generational talent and he tilts the field every time he steps on it. You typically don’t find that with all of the picks at your disposal.. over the course of a decade.
EricTorkelson
March 19, 2026 at 11:49 am
Agree Oppy, Parsons will be back and a player like him with something to prove
SicSemperTyrannis
March 19, 2026 at 06:09 pm
I can't help but think that no TC and the workload he was given contributed to his injury, even though Micah himself says otherwise. He's a fierce competitor; the man wants to PLAY!! He wouldn't say anything that might reduce his snaps, but coaches still need to manage the roster. Although I can certainly understand not wanting a player of his caliber sitting out. I still think our HC is responsible for keeping him at his best when we need him the most.
Cheezehead72
March 19, 2026 at 11:59 am
He is not worth it if he is hurt. That's a lot to lose when he gets hurt.
Oppy
March 19, 2026 at 10:27 pm
Both of those 1st round picks could end up hurt.. and, the overwhelming odds are, neither of them would have been for players anywhere near Parsons' talent.
golfpacker61
March 24, 2026 at 08:38 am
The Parsons trade was 100% a win for GB. If you have a reasonable chance to acquire a game wrecker who routinely ties up 2 people to block him and he still gets 15 sacks. you grab him. We gave up 2 late round first round picks, which is 50/50 anyway, and an aging player that we would have cut in 2026 anyway, why wouldn't you make that trade? Parson's makes the whole defense better, except Gary because he went on vacation the 2nd half of the season.
LambeauPlain
March 19, 2026 at 11:37 am
That clock stopped ticking before the first 2025 snap on defense. But you be you and go on hoping Parsons crashes to serve your ongoing narrative.
Parsons will prove you wrong...again. It is possible you will finally come around.
Cheezehead72
March 19, 2026 at 12:01 pm
I never hope any player crashes or gets hurt. That is any team. That is a very low thing to accuse someone of doing. I live my life never wishing anything bad to happen to a person. Yes it is hard and some people make it very hard.
LambeauPlain
March 20, 2026 at 09:42 am
C72...you seem like a nice person. I did not accuse you of "hoping" Parsons gets hurt...just being very sour about the Parsons deal you seem to think may still crash..."the clock is still ticking"? Because he got hurt during a great season as a Packer?
Now you are "on record" he will miss 8-9 games. Based on what, exactly. All I read is, like Waston, he's ahead of his rehab schedule. Do you "hope" Parsons will return in less than 8-9 games? Then say so!
Evidently you are still carrying a grudge toward the Parsons' trade and can't seem to let it go. He is a Green Bay Packer. I cannot recall many (if any) positive comments about Parsons effort, work ethic, on field contributions.
I believe Parsons was a great get. You don't. Keep reminding us...but don't complain when others respond to your reminders.
EricTorkelson
March 19, 2026 at 07:56 am
Gil ... no mention of B Cox in your analysis ? If there is a post draft or camp cut that makes sense Im sure Gute will make a move ( giving a veteran new life ) motivation wise usually works
GregC
March 19, 2026 at 07:58 am
Maybe they should see how the draft plays out before doing anything at edge. It's not out of the question that they draft an edge player in the second or third round who could fit into the rotation immediately. If they do that, they will have plenty of players at that position. If not, then bringing in a veteran would probably be a good move.
ArlenWilliams
March 19, 2026 at 08:26 am
I like who the Packers have.
GB's "draft and develop" is working and Gutey moved chess pieces out of the way for the developing players they see.
Since'75
March 22, 2026 at 08:19 pm
Question: How many players do we have on the roster from the drafts '18 to '21?
Is this D and D something new then?
**********
In Guter We Trust
golfpacker61
March 19, 2026 at 08:27 am
I am disappointed that GB didn't make an effort to at least talk to Epenesa about playing in GB. Does anyone think if he had the choice of playing for the Browns or the Packers, he would choose the Browns. I think GB missed the boat on a young upgrade on Enagbare for less than 1/2 the money. In a year when money is tight in GB, we have a big need @ Edge rusher. Contract details only say he can make up to $5 million with incentives, reading between the lines that's $3 million salary and incentives.
By not acting on what is probably the best opportunity to land a reasonable, solid, upgrade Edge rusher that has alot of playing experience, I can see GB ignore the biggest need which is CB. Now we will spend our earliest pick on an Edge and that move would stunt the growth of our younger guys. Bad non-move GB. This was an easy FA buy to make.
Savage57
March 19, 2026 at 08:33 am
For $5M he seemed to make sense. Until you looked at his production trend and the fact he's a no-show during tournament games.
I'm OK with Gute passing on him.
golfpacker61
March 24, 2026 at 08:40 am
He is better than Enagbare, look at his stats for $10 million.
golfpacker61
March 19, 2026 at 08:42 am
Playing part time Epenesa was averaging 6 sacks a year without a great Edge rusher across from him, like he would have had in GB. The Bills paid Bosa a lot of money last year and he got a lot of Epenesa's snaps. He could have been a 10 sack guy across from Parsons, and the key here he was cheap. We can't afford even a $10 million dollar FA at any position at this point. This was the chance.
stockholder
March 19, 2026 at 08:49 am
It's clear the pass rush must be better.
But the obvious here is window timing.
You're trying to point at.
The veteran alternative -
one edge rusher isn’t a magical fix.
Gute surely has us believing the
draft is a myth.
With his Crown Jewels failing at edge.
Establishing a core for the future.
Was his priority!
Bookends that kept clark from getting help.
And a defense that kept changing schemes.
The real formula for championship success.
Is the Defensive Line. Not elite vs Trench Depth.
Multi -player Pressures by the eagles,Seahawks,
And past champions, achieved it.
It's what has always been Missing
From Gute's strategic vision.
jannesbjornson
March 19, 2026 at 11:02 am
What vision? Bottom line, he whiffed on his high picks at the edge position. He blew the 3rd round of 2024 and not signing Wilson over McDuffie shows he's not a scout.
SicSemperTyrannis
March 19, 2026 at 06:13 pm
I wanted Eric Wilson kept on the team, too
Since'61
March 19, 2026 at 08:54 am
IMO the Packers need more depth at Edge, OL and CB. Yes he's made moves but the Packers still have holes in those position groups plus TE. The Packers also need a backup QB and it would not hurt to pick up another RB late in the draft or to sign an UDFA. Let's not forget that the Packers are not necessarily settled with their Kicker either.
It's still a question for me that Gute is considered by many as a top GM when his roster is riddled with questions and holes to fill. Thanks, Since '61
dobber
March 19, 2026 at 09:24 am
"IMO the Packers need more depth at Edge, OL and CB....plus TE....backup QB....RB....Kicker"
Hear here!
Coldworld
March 19, 2026 at 11:03 am
It’s not often that I find myself materially at odds with both yourself and Since ‘61. This is one instance where I do though. I do not see the holes as you both do, at least not in March and away from RB, NT and CB most particularly, which isn’t a long list.
At Kicker we have plausible depth, we just need to make a correct decision.
At TE we have options every year, but LaFleur won’t use blockers referring to try and make moderate offensive TEs into them. It never works well and the blockers never make the roster.
At back up QB we have Ridder. I’ve not been a fan particularly, but as a back up he’s on the higher side of potential now, if one recognizes that Willis was a true rarity and we can smooth out a few kinks. We’ve also got McCord, who is not without some interesting attributes.
At Edge, Parsons, LVN, Cox, Sorrell, Oliver isn’t a bad start. I’d argue it might actually contain more threat than the equivalent last year. Obviously we will need to add behind those, but it seems like a good starting point for preferred contributors.
At OL, what we really need is some, any, player development. However we have John Williams as a red shirt (apparently anticipated and why he went lower than expected) pick from last year, Brant Banks, whom I thought the find of camp last year, and Dalton Cooper, whom I thought we might draft (he visited). That is on top the return of Glover who actually looked promising (as a T) last summer before injury, Jennings and Monk (who played very well against the Vikings, to my surprise). All of these players are in place and we have yet to have the draft. I don’t see us under stocked at this point in the year at all.
At RB i would agree. Letting the be proven Wilson go and relying on the unproven and as yet never healthy Lloyd is not a move anyone can say should engender confidence and opened a hole unnecessarily. Brooks is not an insurance policy, he’s a manifestation of LaFleur’s issues with TE choices behind the starter and refusal to use a true FB. We need to find a player that is capable of replacing Wilson/Lloyd and ideally, I’d LLoyd stays healthy, Potentially Brooks on game day. That’s a big ask given LaFleur’s traits and obsessions, but by next year at least.
Overall, ignoring LaFleur’s influence and the Stenavich Butkus questions, at this point I don’t see this roster as full of holes. Outside of who takes the Doubs role, and CB (unless Melton is a real db this year, which is possible if we go to quarters), I think we are well positioned for March except perhaps at true NT. I do see a desperate need for a few players to take a leap for once, both to viable depth and in terms of impact for starters.
We’ve a draft coming that can only add and Gute always adds depth after that. We need Gute to
draft to allow us to develop the future at ILB Mike and DT and edge once LVN walks next year and where we have added older stop gaps. Other than that we need a draft that seeks to add better options now not speculative swings in home run athletic freaks.
My wish is that he could force LaFleur way from his tendencies at TE/FB and how we coach and prepare the OL in particular, but Policy burnt that boat, at least for now.
SicSemperTyrannis
March 19, 2026 at 06:21 pm
I'm puzzled by letting Emanuel Wilson go. Did he get that expensive a contract? He was a great #2 behind #8. Chris Brooks is our best pass blocking RB. Keeping that room intact seemed so obvious - then if Lloyd ever comes through or not we're set.
Since'61
March 19, 2026 at 08:49 pm
Coldworld I appreciate your feedback. I probably could have been more specific in my comment about the question marks and holes that I currently see in the Packers roster.
I'll begin with the OL; At LT Morgan is the presumptive starter. We have no idea how well he can play LT at the NFL level. The thinking seems to be that he will play well at LT because that is where he played in college and that he was a Packers first round draft choice. To that I respond with Tony Mandarich. I'm not saying that Morgan shouldn't be the LT starter or that he will be.bust but as of today we don't know how well he will play LT at the NFL level.
At LG we have Banks who like Morgan we just don't know if he will play at the level of his contract. At least not yet.
Enter Rhyan, we he improve over 2025? Hopefully yes but he remains a question mark, at least for me.
RG Belton. will he take the second year leap? Who knows?
RT Tom. Our best OL. Yes, but will return from his injury as the player he was prior? Again we just don't know.
The CB room is weak. It seems that we agree there.
Edge is a concern because we don't know how much time Parsons will miss to begin the season. He.may miss as few as 2-3 games or as many as 6 and possibly more. While the Edge rushers we have without Parsons may be adequate but again we're depending on players who have limited NFL experience. and/or are returning from injuries. Will even Parsons be the same player before his ACL injury?
DL another veteran would be beneficial
TE who do we have behind Kraft? And again will Kraft return as the same player he was prior to his injury?
Speaking for myself I don't know.
I don't know very much about our backup QBs but can we realistically expect them to carry the team for 2,3 or 4 games if necessary? For me that's a tentative maybe.
RB as of today is based on how many hits does Jacobs have left and will the OL improve enough to get people blocked for him?
Maybe not all of these areas are holes but they are question marks at least as of today. The draft may help to reinforce some of these position groups. Hopefully we'll haver some answers after the draft.
Fortunately there is still a long way to go before the season begins and plenty can happen between now and then. Thanks, Since '61
Coldworld
March 20, 2026 at 08:15 am
I understand your position. Yes, a lot of our depth is unproven. However, that is the nature of the NFL. I suppose my general premise is that there are signs of talent and yours could be characterized as observing that much of that is untested. That is undoubtedly true.
I suppose that, essentially I believe that we’ve come to the point where we have to risk inexperience to find improvement. Right now I think we have Ill used and under used young talent for sufficiently long a that we are at a point where we don’t know really where it lies.
That is not sustainable in the cap era and I believe that this the year where we are going to have to see the dam break—for good or ill. We are going to need to find out. It may make or break this cycle, but it’s inevitable. My fear is that coaching may not be up to the task, particularly on the OL, but also at WR and the whole TE/blocking/protection gamut as well.
NJ-RICK
March 19, 2026 at 02:52 pm
I couldn't agree with you more. GUTE to me is not a good GM. If anything he has made poor drafts & free agent acquisitions. The Packer Mgt can do a lot better. I'm curious to see if Policy keeps him after next season..? I'm really surprised they resigned him... So far I really don't see much improvement in the team after free agency period. NFL Owner.
SicSemperTyrannis
March 19, 2026 at 06:23 pm
Expecting Policy to fire GM after one year on a 4 or 5 year fully guaranteed contract is not GB policy.
13TimeChamps
March 19, 2026 at 10:09 pm
You actually think you're an NFL Owner. That's adorable.
BuckyBadger
March 19, 2026 at 09:55 am
We said so often last year it became a running joke but once again LVN is the X-factor for the defense. Packers need him to be what they drafted him to be or the EDGE position will be thin. I know Cox has his name that brings him fans but he isn't a full time starter there. Gets pushed around in the run game and the better tackles will neutralize him. We need LVN to be something he has never been, a full time starter. It is possible, he showed flashes before getting dinged up but the optimism there is waning for sure.
WD
March 19, 2026 at 10:34 am
The Jets think they got a great deal with Enagbare for 10 million. Me thinks so too.
Coldworld
March 19, 2026 at 11:14 am
That’s why the jets are the jets. They got a good player of the run, but little threat to any passer. Is that worth 10 million? Not to me.
golfpacker61
March 19, 2026 at 04:27 pm
The edge market salaries are simply insane at this point. For a player like Enagbare to get $10 million for a single year is just nuts. That's part of the reason it pissed me off so much that we were not in on Epenesa, especially at that price. We can't make any big signings this year because we don't have the cash and we don't want to mess up what could be a very pivotal draft next year because of the Comp picks,
Signing a FA Edge rusher after losing 2 of our top 3 Edges is viewed as very important in almost every Packer football article out there right now. We need insurance before the draft.
Number 1, there is about a 20% chance that LVN makes "The Jump" everyone has predicted the last 2 years, face reality, he might just be an average to below average Edge rusher, but he could still be an important player if GB moves him inside more in 2026, The 5th year option of $15 million should not only be off the table but shouldn't even be in the same house with what he has produced.
Number 2, LVN hasn't exactly been injury free in his 3 years in GB. If he gets hurt again, we are in trouble with what we have behind him. Cox has shown flashes but we can't depend on him Sorrell and the other guy aren't even question marks at this time.
dobber
March 19, 2026 at 12:23 pm
Then why did they only give him a one-year deal?
splitpea1
March 19, 2026 at 10:35 am
The best options that aren't downright ancient are Clowney and Bosa. Otherwise we rolling with who we have or hoping for an immediate impact rookie, but good luck with that without a first-round pick. Gute probably likes Dennis-Sutton with those athletic tools, but as we have seen with Van Ness, do we really want to go there again? Hopefully lessons were learned....
I would argue that drafting a blue-chip DT is almost as important for the long term, unless you're satisfied with the medley of Brooks, Stackhouse, Brinson, and Ford. I think it's time to start taking run-stuffing types on the DL more seriously than hoping for the typical space-eater on Day 3. Hargrave was a good signing, but he's more of a pressure type and he's only a short-term solution.
Coldworld
March 19, 2026 at 11:21 am
Brooks is not a run stuffer and never will be. Pretending he might become one was daft. He’s a threat to disrupt as a rotational player, if he’s not being overused on run downs. At this point, the best interior run players are Wyatt and Hargrave. Brinson may become one, but he went off on run downs through college—the hope is based on size not pedigree. The only space eaters types we have are Stackhouse, Ford and Riley (whenever he is healthy).
Hopefully we can draft a player who can both disrupt and space eat. I’m not talking many sacks, but pushing the pocket. Ford actually has flashed that ability at times, but he can’t seem to play low enough consistently to believe he could regularly deliver. There are prospects in this draft that we may well have a shot at in round 2 that could help with this, I’m hoping the draft falls right and we then seize the opportunity with our first pick.
splitpea1
March 19, 2026 at 12:22 pm
I'll be happy if the Packers can land two really good prospects, one for each nose of the football. I'd like an upgrade at center for the long-term if he falls into our lap. On defense, I'm thinking someone like Christen Miller fits your description, and he's already been mocked in a couple places going to the Packers (with Gute's affinity for Bulldogs probably baked in).
greengold
March 19, 2026 at 11:22 am
Agree Gil & splitpea1. 100%
Jadeveon Clowney would be my pick to sign in FA for the Packers. His pass rush is still elite, and he'd come into GB as a lower cost alternative to Bosa.
Clowney would make a great additional mentor to our other EDGE talents on board, while providing high quality depth in rotation.
Veteran leadership has been lacking for too long in the Packers 53 Man Rosters for years. Time to balance those scales. Many of these young players benefit from seeing how it is done, and gleaning insights from accomplished All-Pro roster additions.
DE/EDGE is very important to our team's success this season. Agree also on iDL needs. Hit 'em both. A quality pass rush helps any secondary.
SicSemperTyrannis
March 19, 2026 at 06:29 pm
The stats on our starting CBs with vs without Micah on the field are a really STARK contrast!
Coldworld
March 20, 2026 at 08:38 am
After he went down we had no rush to speak of: that will kill any CB group. However, Hafley ran a D that was designed to play the short game with the ball in front of the secondary. That’s not a bad approach, if one can get pressure on a QB consistently. When we couldn’t though, it greatly magnified the effect.
Gary, MVS, Enagbare and Wooden were our core DL presences (supplemented by rookies and SFAs) and none of them posed a threat to any QB in the second half of the season, visibly and empirically. It’s a relief all are gone bar MVS and I don’t see him being here long term either unless he suddenly has a miraculous last minute transformation.
LambeauPlain
March 19, 2026 at 01:03 pm
One Edge on my radar who could be available to the Packers at 52 is Zion Young/Missouri. The first 3 prospects likely to go in the 1st (Reese/Ohio State, Baily/Texas Tech, Bain Jr./Miami), the next 3 of Falk/Aubrn, Mesidor/also Miami, and Zion are all closely rated.
Zion did have a two off field issues...once for the tunnel fight as a freshman at Michigan State. He played for MSU for 3 years before transferring to Mizzou last season. He had a DWI last December...still pending. His leadership on the field and in the locker is supposed off the charts, as is his non stop motor.
Question. Who is coaching the Edge room this season? DB/Pass Game Coordinator Bobby Babich? Or DL/Run Game Coordinator Covington? Maybe LB coach Sam Siefkes? He's a young rising star in the D coaching ranks. I attended his wedding in Lake Geneva a few years ago. Nice young man.
I did read a story that the Packers are in the hunt to sign 40 yr old FA Calias Campbell on a one year deal. $10 M or so. I'd prefer his AZ teammate Josh Sweat...but he'd be an expensive trade of player, pick and a big contract.
Coldworld
March 19, 2026 at 03:47 pm
In answer to your question: DeMarcus Covington.
Per the Packers official announcement he is responsible for: “Outside linebackers/run game coordinator/assistant head coach - defense.”
LambeauPlain
March 20, 2026 at 09:55 am
Yes, thanks. I saw the announcements after the post. Covington got a solid promotion. One of 4 former DCs (in NFL or College) on the D staff: Gannon, Covington, Babich and Seifkes.
SicSemperTyrannis
March 19, 2026 at 06:31 pm
Got in a fight in a tunnel, and driving drunk; this is a hockey player you're talking about, right? ;)
CanPackFan
March 19, 2026 at 02:53 pm
I'm just not sold on Cox, Sorrell or Van Ness as our DE options, especially before Micah returns. Clowney would be my desired choice or another vet at a reasonable cost.
golfpacker61
March 19, 2026 at 04:40 pm
"I'm just not sold on Cox, Sorrell or Van Ness as our DE options, especially before Micah returns." Until any of them proves otherwise for an entire season, to depend on any of them is setting us up for disaster.
I have been trying to promote either Epenesa or Clowney as the best reasonably priced options, that's all we can afford, and since we passed on a very cheap Epenesa, Clowney is it and he is still pretty cheap, projected $7 million annually. A guy like Clowney could easily have double digit sacks playing across from Parsons. Pair those 2 with Hargrave and not only would QBs be running for their lives, but LBs and D-Backs would have a much easier job. We might even intercept some passes too.
No to Bosa, he is a major tool as a human being.
Cheesey51
March 19, 2026 at 07:26 pm
who willbe the 3rd OLB in the 4-3.
WD
March 20, 2026 at 06:18 am
Joey Bosa is available! Don't overthink it
golfpacker61
March 22, 2026 at 08:17 am
GB has always looked for a certain type of Edge rusher, usually bigger to be strong at setting the edge. Drafting Oliver and trading for Parsons gives us the other type, really fast and bendy. I wonder if we will draft one this year that is more like the later? I would think that would rule out the Missouri Edge Zion Young, who weighs 270 lbs.
It makes me wonder if the college sack leader is now in play, Nadame Tucker. He is a little bigger than Oliver and had 14.5 sacks last year. I t also make an Edge like Derrick Moore-Mich a better option too.
A mid-round LB I have targeted in the draft because he is big, fast, and has great coverage skills is Kendall Daniels-Oklahoma. He is 6'5 245 & runs well. He came to OK State and played Safety at that size. After a transfer to Oklahoma he played LB, Safety & Edge. We could kill 2 birds with one stone with this guy, get a great coverage LB & a pass rusher, and he will probably be picked #120-#160.