The Green Bay Packers have overhauled their roster over the last few seasons, specifically on the defensive side of the ball. Kevin King is off to his best start of the season (despite working through an injury right now that may keep him out of Sunday’s game), and Jaire Alexander is looking like a soon-to-be All-Pro if he continues his dominant performance in coverage. 

This offseason, the team added three defensive studs to the roster through free agency by signing linebackers Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith and safety Adrian Amos. Those moves alone would have made the defensive side of the ball look vastly different than in previous years, but General Manager Brian Gutekunst wasn’t done just yet.

On April 25, using his two first-round picks in the 2019 NFL Draft, Gutekunst added outside linebacker Rashan Gary at pick No. 12 and safety Darnell Savage at pick No. 21. 

Additionally, Gutekunst found his guard of the future in the second round by drafting Elgton Jenkins out of Mississippi State, in addition to the signing of Billy Turner during free agency. Jenkins’ second-round draft status was the highest offensive pick ever made by Gutekunst, and the first second-round offensive pick since Jason Spriggs in 2016. 

Through four games of the 2019 season, the rookies have already been asked to play bigger roles than perhaps the team initially anticipated. Starting with Jenkins, who came in at left guard in place of Lane Taylor who’s currently on injured reserve with a biceps injury. 

Per Pro Football Focus, Jenkins has taken 151 offensive snaps so far this season and has only had one penalty called against him, while allowing zero sacks (and three total pressures). His overall player rating is 68.9, with a pass blocking grade of 69.8 and a run blocking grade of 69.6. That’s a strong start for a player tasked with keeping future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers upright. 

Now let’s switch to the defensive side of the ball. Gary’s numbers aren’t as flashy given the fact that he’s not in a starting role like the other two rookies mentioned, but he is getting some good reps through four weeks. 

Gary has played in 64 total snaps so far this season, dividing his time between 25 run defense snaps and 39 pass rush snaps with one sack.

Pro Football Focus credits Gary with two hurries, one quarterback hit, and five total pressures in addition to his lone sack (PFF credits Gary with two sacks, though Pro Football Reference and the official Packers website only credit Gary with one). His best performance of the season came Week 1 against the Chicago Bears. While he only played in six snaps, he had a pass rush rating of 73.3 and a defensive rating of 76.1, his best rating of the season by a wide margin. Even still, given the addition of both Z. Smith (three sacks, 15 hurries, 23 total pressures, 72.6 overall rating) and P. Smith (four sacks, 12 hurries, 19 total pressures, 79.3 overall rating) to the edge rush rotation, Gary isn’t being asked to do nearly as much as his first round counterpart Darnell Savage, who we’ll talk about next. 

Savage has played in 271 defensive snaps for the Packers his rookie season (that’s every single snap, by the way). Per PFF, Savage has only allowed a passer rating of 10.7 when targeted, and 5.7 yards per reception. He has 18 solo tackles, one forced fumble, and one interception. His overall grade is listed at 68.2, but he shines in coverage with a 72.6 grade. Fun fact, he’s also the current Vegas favorite to win Defensive Rookie of the Year. 

For comparison's sake, veteran safety Adrian Amos currently has 20 solo tackles, one interception, and an allowed passer rating of 60.6 with 7.4 yards per reception. His overall grade from Pro Football Focus is 69.1 with a coverage grade of 70.5. 

Fifth-round pick Kingsley Keke also deserves honorable mention for contributing on the defensive side of the ball. Keke has played in just 19 snaps through two weeks (he was inactive for Weeks 1 and 2) but he’s played particularly well against the run in those 19 snaps. While only tallying five snaps against the run, PFF has graded Keke a 72.1 with an overall grade of 64.4. He’s another rookie that should see an increase in playing time as the season progresses, especially if the injury to third-year player Montravius Adams lingers and keeps him out for a few more weeks. 

Sixth-round running back Dexter Williams is expected to play in his first NFL regular season game on Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys in place of Jamaal Williams who is still going through the concussion protocol. He’s been a healthy scratch in all four games so far this season. Fellow sixth-rounder Ka’dar Hollman might also see the field for the first time on Sunday. He was held out of the first four games with a neck injury, but he’ll have an opportunity to play with both Kevin King and Tony Brown on the injury report. 

Of the remaining rookies, inside linebacker Ty Summers has played on special teams so far each week for the Packers, but he’s yet to take any defensive snaps this season. Lastly, highly-anticipated third-round tight end Jace Sternberger is on injured reserve with an ankle injury. 

Though the sample size remains small, the 2019 Draft Class is already making an impact for the Packers. Now Hollman and D. Williams should have the chance to leave their own positive marks on the field in Dallas this Sunday.