Packers Need Kenny Clark to Make a Raji-like Jump in 2017

The Packers need more impact players on defense and Kenny Clark is a prime candidate to become one. 

The Green Bay Packers need a lot to happen for their defense to be successful in 2017 -- one of those things is getting a greater impact from Kenny Clark.

Clark, who was the Packers first-round pick in the 2016 NFL draft, had a decent rookie season. But if Green Bay is going to take a step forward defensively, the defensive tackle is one player that will need to do more.

The UCLA product started two games for the Packers last season. He played in all 16 regular season and all three playoff games. In the regular season, he had 13 solo tackles, in the playoffs, he had six.

At the start of the season, the 21-year old simply wasn’t ready to play. Letroy Guion and Mike Pennel got some snaps before him, until in the middle of the year. Then, Clark started seeing the field more consistently.

When his rookie season was over, he led the Packers with two fumble recoveries. He finished second among the defensive lineman in tackles per snap (9.9) and third in pressures per snap (64.3) according to Bob McGinn.

Those numbers may not sound tremendous, but they were better than B.J. Raji’s when he was rookie in 2009. As McGinn noted, Raji got a tackle every 10.4 snaps as a rookie and a pressure every 128 snaps.

Often times with defensive lineman, it can take a year or two in the NFL before everything clicks. It's much harder to beat NFL offensive lineman on a consistent basis and players that used to just dominate with strength and athleticism, can’t do that anymore.

Clark’s development last season was normal for a defensive tackle, but he was more productive and more impactful, seemingly with each game and showed flashes of big-time talent

Of course, everybody knows how much the defense struggled last season. It couldn’t stop the pass and was inconsistent against the run. But Clark, who should be starting in the 3-4 base defense and in sub packages, can help in both areas.

Last season, the rookie didn’t make much of an impact rushing the passer. And while defensive tackles don’t get as many sacks as edge rushers, inside pressure is still hugely important.

If there isn’t the push in the middle of the pocket, the quarterback can step up and more easily avoid guys coming off the edge. Plus, if the pocket is constantly being pushed or collapsed, it forces the QB to move off his spot, which can wreak havoc.

Clark, who had 5.5 sacks in his final season at UCLA, must become a force in the middle, both against the run and the pass. And with his size, strength and quickness, he is more than capable of doing so.

Raji, a first-rounder in 2009, had one sack as a rookie and 25 tackles. In his second season, he had 6.5 sacks, 39 tackles and three passes defensed. He also had a pick six in the NFC championship game as Green Bay went on to win the Super Bowl.

The Green Bay defense has flaws, yes. But make no mistake, the Packers are a Super Bowl contender. And if Clark can take a Raji-like step in 2017, developing into a true impact player, those flaws, will suddenly be much easier to hide.

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Chris is a sports journalist from Montana and has been blogging about the Packers since 2011. Chris has been a staff writer for CheeseheadTV since 2017 and looks forward to the day when Aaron Rodgers wins his second Super Bowl. Follow him @thepackersguru

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Comments (25)

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

May 21, 2017 at 09:07 am

The Packers just need the defense to be average and they have a chance to win the Super Bowl. Since they lack meaningful depth at OLB, in order to be average Clay and Nick are going to have to stay healthy.

When is the last time Clay and Nick stayed healthy?

Every team has to take some risks going into the season. I'd have rather had taken a risk at RB with Monty, Micheal and someone like Blount and have several more rookie OLBs (this draft was loaded with Edge players) to possibly hit on. Right now, when Clay and/or Nick are injured the Packers will have two guys who rarely hold an edge and have never taken a meaninful snap count, and a rookie who just had foot surgery to fall back on. I'm not happy about the probability of success there.

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gr7070's picture

May 21, 2017 at 12:45 pm

I don't even think good health will make Clay a good player. He's not a good player anymore.

And as all know he's unlikely to be healthy the vast majority of the season regardless of my opinion on just how far his obviously diminished abilities have gone.

I had Edge as a significant need prior to the draft. So I'm not overly optimistic about that unit, and I obviously think less of Matthews than most, have since before he signed his big contact. But I do think we'll have significant improvement in pressure from our D line over last year.

This D should improve in at least some meaningful amount, even though our outside pressure will almost certainly decline (we actually had rather his pressure straits lay year).
Could easily go from low 20s ranking to better than 15th.

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holmesmd's picture

May 23, 2017 at 08:26 am

Well Clay is a top 100 player according to NFL Network and he still has the confidence of Packer coaches. To suggest that he's "not a good player", is a bit overboard don't you think?

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croatpackfan's picture

May 21, 2017 at 12:54 pm

Think big, not average...

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NickPerry's picture

May 21, 2017 at 01:47 pm

I get your comment but I wouldn't say neither has played a "Meaningful Snap". Actually both have made key plays in regular season games which helped the Packers win, they just haven't made that many to be truly comfortable with. At least not yet anyways.

I think Thompson did an excellent job picking his RB's this year. All 3 RB's taken bring something a little different to the Packers. Clearly Thompson wasn't comfortable with Michael considering how quickly he was cut after the draft. Surely the Packers will hit on one RB who brings "Thunder" to Montgomery's "Lightening".

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

May 22, 2017 at 09:15 am

I didn't say that either, I said "meaningful snaps". Meaning 25-30 snaps in a game, or close to what's going to be asked of a starter. I also didn't say TT didn't find good running back prospects. I said they should have found Edge players.

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Dzehren's picture

May 22, 2017 at 07:09 pm

5 to 10 carries and 4-6 catches - that would be ideal- 80-120 yards per game total yards from scrimmage.

6 YPC and 7 YPC

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NickPerry's picture

May 23, 2017 at 04:56 am

I actually agreed with much of what you said, gave you a "Thumbs Up" as a matter of fact. I happen to agree about the lack of edge players but I also think the RB's will offer more to the Packers than any edge players who were still available in say the 5th and 7th rounds. The Packers needed RB's...BADLY. I don't disagree with what TT did in the draft at the RB position is all.

I really like Josh Jones but as much as I've grown to like Jones I can't help but think Jordan Willis was the better pick, at least for the Packers current needs. I regretfully believe OLB is going to be a problem for the Packers this year. Even if Matthews and Perry stay healthy ALL season, the Packers are still going to need to replace a ton of snaps from Peppers and Jones not to mention giving Matthews and Perry a break from time to time. I hate playing "Hope Ball" every year where we're "Hoping" this player or that player can make a jump.

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Lphill's picture

May 21, 2017 at 09:17 am

I think he does improve he probably played more than anticipated last season, he also is familiar with the division rivals so yes I think he steps forward this coming season.i think we have a solid rotation now with the D line. If they bring pressure than the life of the inside linebackers and defensive backs will be much improved.

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chugwater's picture

May 21, 2017 at 10:01 am

The thing I remember most about last year's draft was the hype around Myles Jack and how we should have picked him in the first round instead of Clark. Although both of these players are in the early stages of their careers, it's safe to say Clark had the more impressive first season. (Heck, Jake Ryan even outperformed Jack in his rookie year.)

The other upside to Clark is he's only 21 years old. He's only going to get bigger and stronger. The kid has a bright future as a Packer.

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ChrisPeterson's picture

May 21, 2017 at 10:45 am

Yea I really like Clark. He impressed me down the stretch. I thought he was one of their better defensive players in the playoffs. Hopefully he can get his pass rush going a little more.

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PatrickGB's picture

May 21, 2017 at 12:09 pm

I watched some of his tape from college. Great awareness in run defense. Not much pass rush. He disengages well and puts himself in a good position to make a play. More agile than strong. More DE than NT. Fits our sub package in Capers D.

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ChrisPeterson's picture

May 21, 2017 at 09:28 pm

I think he is strong enough to play NT, also GB only had a 3-4 line last year around 20 Percent of the time. Something like that. I expect it to be less this year. Clark is basically an inside DT in a four man line (sub) with two edge rusher.

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NickPerry's picture

May 21, 2017 at 02:25 pm

"In the regular season, he had 13 solo tackles, in the playoffs, he had six."

Lets face it, that's not a lot to go on. I don't have any expectations on Clark, mostly just the same "Hopes" I have every year when we discuss Packers 2nd year players and the Jumps we hope to see. With some of the losses in FA and the limited options/depth at OLB, the Packers need Clark to make that proverbial leap. Matter of fact Clarks overall play is going to be pretty import to the Packers overall success this season defensively. It's not rocket science to understand or see what the Packers will look like 80% to 85% of the time this year. With Guys like Jones and Burnett playing ILB and limited OLB to rush the passer,it will become even more vital to generate that inside pressure. The Packers ARE getting faster and quicker. I hope Clark can keep up because they will need him.

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ChrisPeterson's picture

May 22, 2017 at 08:55 am

For me it wasn't about just the tackles. It was how he was more stout and more active. I just have a really good feeling about what he can do this season.

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4EVER's picture

May 21, 2017 at 03:07 pm

Raji-like Jump = 5 yards backwards

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Since'61's picture

May 21, 2017 at 06:24 pm

Raji and Clark were taken at very different points in the 1st round of their respective drafts. IIRC Raji was within the top 15 while Clark was the 26th in his draft. While I expect Clark to improve this season it may be a little unfair to expect a Raji-like jump. This defense basically has 7 players with "veteran" NFL experience. Daniels, CM3, Perry, Burnett, Francois, House and Dix. Dix by virtue of the # of snaps he's played during his 1st 3 seasons. Clark, Lowry, Adams, Ringo, Elliott, Fackrell, Ryan, Martinez, Thomas, Randall, Rollins, Jones, King, Brice, Evans, Hawkins and Beigel, have all been drafted or signed UDFAs since 2015. We are depending on a lot of our young defenders to step up and make significant contributions. I have left out Guion because he might be chucked or suspended again, who knows? In terms of experience our defense is pretty thin everywhere with the exception of safety. (Does anyone know Banjo's status?) In any case this defense has a lot of growing to do and they need to do it quickly. If we stay healthy we have a chance to be ready for the playoffs. Either way the measure of this defense and TT's last 3 drafts will be taken during the playoff season once again. Clark will have plenty of company in attempting to make his big jump this season. Thanks, Since '61

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ChrisPeterson's picture

May 22, 2017 at 09:58 am

You are right that they went in different parts of the first round but so what? Antonio Brown went in the 6th and he's he best WR in the NFL. Clark had similar production to Raji when he was a rookie and he is still so young that he is just reaching his potential. I don't expect 6.5 sacks. But I do expect a few and far more tackles and tackles for loss or stuffs.

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RCPackerFan's picture

May 21, 2017 at 07:33 pm

As the season went on Clark simply got better and better. He really was playing extremely well down the stretch.

I remember during the draft most Packer fans were upset that they took Clark over the Alabama defensive lineman. I am pretty sure at the end of the year Clark showed why they drafted him over the other players.

Clark may not get the stats that others might, but he is a guy that will be a thorn in the offensive side. He reminds me of a bigger version of Daniels. I do think the stats will come for him in year 2.

I am actually really looking forward to seeing what both 2nd year DL do. Clark and Lowry I think will take steps in their 2nd year.

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Handsback's picture

May 21, 2017 at 07:40 pm

Clark is headed for a pretty good jump in performance based on his last few games last year.
Yet I contend that the Packers new nose, Adams, may be the guy that makes a difference. I know it's pretty rare for a rookie dline guy to make a difference, but hes big, fast and strong.
That middle could be the new Berlin Wall.

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lebowski's picture

May 21, 2017 at 11:00 pm

Lotta talk about the bolstered secondary and our shaky linebacker corps, but this kid's improvement would make the greatest difference on the Pack's D. Mike Daniels FINALLY having a running mate would be fantastic.

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Oppy's picture

May 22, 2017 at 01:54 pm

As usual, I'm going to throw my hat in for Brian Price in 2017.

Keep an eye out. He's a handful.

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Spock's picture

May 22, 2017 at 02:52 am

Oppy,
Besides "Brain" is a really smart player. :) Just teasing. Your typing at 12:47 in the morning is better than mine. I like your thought on Price.

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Oppy's picture

May 22, 2017 at 01:54 pm

Lol. Good spotting, Spock.

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Andrew Lloyd Peth's picture

May 22, 2017 at 08:06 am

My biggest hope is that we see more 3-Linemen sets instead of 2, though I understand why Capers ran so many 2-Linemen sets last year, as our D-Line was in a serious developmental phase.

But with Daniels being a pretty high-tier guy, Clark/Lowry entering Year 2, the addition of Francois, and guys like Adams and Price and Ringo competing, it's time some bulk and balance was restored to this defense.

Clark is the heart of using more 3-Linemen packages. Please Dom, make it happen.

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