Training Camp Primer ’25: Focus on the Packers Defense!

Oh boy! Here we go! The Green Bay Packers training camp is coming up fast. Just a little over a couple more weeks.

So, let’s continue working through this year’s training camp primers by focusing in on the Packers defense. If you missed last week’s primer locking in on the Packers offense, then click here!

Last year, Green Bay’s defense, according to FoxSports, was ranked fifth in total defense. That turned out to be a pretty big leap in comparison to the Packers seventeenth ranked defense in 2023 under Joe Barry. Coach Jeff Hafley seemingly turned this defensive unit around in less than a year. It’s crazy that he is already receiving head coaching interviews. If the defense continues to improve, then I would expect him to be a head coach sooner than later.

It’s interesting: last year, everyone (including me) kept mentioning how Hafley was going to play a more aggressive, man-to-man style defense but that didn’t really happen. Injuries and personnel dictates what type of schemes a team can run, and that made itself known last year.

The good news is that Hafley showed that he capable of adapting. Only time will tell if this year the players will allow for that more aggressive style defense. Now, let’s get to the position breakdowns.

Training Camp Defensive Linemen

Starting with the guys up front, last year, the Packers kept eleven total defensive linemen. There were six defensive ends and five defensive tackles. Prior to 2024, the Packers normally have kept around 4.71 defensive ends (also known as edge rushers) on the initial 53 man roster. Last year was quite a bit different since they kept six total pass rushers.

There were only five defensive tackles to make the roster last season which is less than the average prior to 2024. That number was 5.71. The numbers between defensive tackle and defensive end were flipped, which is an interesting note.

So, if we stick to those numbers, who makes the roster and what are some competitions to be aware of?

Defensive End

Looking at defensive end first, Rashan Gary, Barryn Sorrell, and Collin Oliver are going to make the roster for sure. I left Lukas Van Ness and Kingsley Enagbare off the guaranteed-to-make list because there is a chance of them getting traded. This is especially likely for Enagbare.

So, the six defensive ends will be Rashan Gary, Barryn Sorrell, Collin Oliver, Lukas Van Ness, Brenton Cox Jr., and Arron Mosby. I feel like the Packers will cut ties with Colby Wooden and Lukas Van Ness, but that’s the competition too. Colby Wooden, Kingsley Enagbare, Brenton Cox Jr., and Arron Mosby will have to compete for the final two spots.

Defensive Tackle

Now, if there are only five defensive tackles, then who would make the team?

Well, Kenny Clark is a lock. Last season, Clark didn’t play his best ball. But even at his best, he was still above average. A couple of weeks, Clark said he was injured in the Brazil game and played injured all season. Could this mean that he is likely to play more like Kenny of the past this season? I hope so.

Then, you have Devonte Wyatt who has been getting better every season after being a first round pick a few years ago. Wyatt received his fifth-year option.

I also believe that sixth round draft pick, Warren Brinson, will make the team as well. That leaves just two spots remaining for the rest of the guys. Nazir Stackhouse, an undrafted free agent out of Georgia has received a lot of hype this offseason and could for sure make a push to earn a spot. The other spot is up for grabs and could very well be Karl Brooks, who has been getting better and could earn a spot on this team as well.

Off-Ball Linebackers

Edgerrin Cooper. ‘Nuff said.

Well, I probably should say more, but I’m so excited for the development of Edgerrin Cooper. A few weeks back, Brian Gutekunst, the general manager of the Green Bay Packers, admitted that he should have kept “more bodies” at the interior linebacker position last season. They kept five so I would expect them keep – you guessed it – more than five interior linebackers.

So, who makes the roster at the linebacker position? I have Quay Walker, Edgerrin Cooper, Ty’Ron Hopper, Isaiah Simmons, Isaiah McDuffie, and Kristian Welch.

Quay Walker didn’t receive a fifth-year option from the Packers and is now looking for a contract extension, so hopefully the Packers settle that soon.

An interesting player to watch is Isaiah Simmons. The eighth overall pick in 2020 is a freakish athlete. Teams who have had him before seemingly didn’t know what to do with him. He comes off like a tweaner of a safety and linebacker. He has played as a safety and a linebacker but really has only excelled on special teams. Could the Packers unlock his full potential? Or will he just be a special teams standout? I wouldn’t be mad.

Training Camp Cornerbacks

This group is probably the most interesting and maybe the weakest group on the team, but they very well prove everyone wrong. Jaire Alexander is now gone leaving Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, and Nate Hobbs as Green Bay’s top three guys. I actually think the Packers only keep four guys in the corner room. Remember, the Packers are keeping an additional linebacker. This, also has a lot to do with safety Javon Bullard who plays a lot of slot corner. He’s versatile like that.

So, that last spot will come down to one person among a seven other players. The leaders of the pack for this last spot are Kamal Hadden, Kalen King, and Micah Robinson. May the best one win. I think it’ll be Kamal Hadden. Just a gut feeling.

Safeties

That leaves just the safeties. I actually believe the safety group will consist of the same five from last year. That is of course: Xavier McKinney, Javon Bullard, Evan Williams, Kitan Oladapo, and Zayne Anderson. McKinney will continue to play at an all-pro level, Williams showed a ton of promise as a deep safety last year and could improve enough to be a pro-bowl type of player. Javon Bullard can play well at safety but could lock up the Packers star (slot corner) position. Oladapo and Anderson both looked great when they had to step in to play and have been great on special teams.

Training Camp – Most Intriguing Position?

I’ve gone back in forth between linebacker and cornerback. However, I am going to go with linebacker. We already know the top three guys at the cornerback position. The linebacker group will inevitably keep an additional player compared to last year and that opens a ton of questions. Also, the intrigue with Quay Walker’s contract, Edgerrin Cooper’s development, and Isaiah Simmons athletic abilities make this group the most intriguing position during training camp to watch.

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