I was happy that the Packers drafted LVN because I thought he could start if Gary was not healed up. I am glad that Gary is ready to play because LVN is not ready to start. I believe he will be good in time because he has to work on his technique and strength. With Gary back I feel more comfortable about the EDGE position.

What about Justin Hollins? He is ahead of Van Ness and Cox on the depth chart and appears to be having a pretty good training camp.

Thanks Bruce nice write up. I think the main takeaway is that the Packers now have pass rushers on multiple positions on defense. You can plan to take away one guy, maybe two but if you have more then that it creates issues for protection.
Just MHO

We've got pass rush beyond just OLB, too 😎

Disrupting opposing backfields should be a strength this season, and #7 can be part of that. The best friend to any DB.

I'm happy as hell Gary is back, schooling Packers O-Linemen which will only make them better. I can't wait to see him in week one sacking Justin Fields. Just one thing, that NASTY field of the Bears makes me nervous. Not just for Gary, but ALL of the Packers players.

Yes, this edge group is deep, and I REALLY hope Cox sticks. Being a former knucklehead myself (What person in Recovery wasn't a knucklehead) I love the underdogs. With a rep like his he's had to REALLY show out, probably more than most UDFA who come in trying to make the team.

Hmmm...It sure looks as if my guy Van Ness might have a tough time being named the DROY award based on what I've read. BUT, if he comes along slowly AND turns out to be a lot like Gary, who the hell cares. Besides, we have Kingsley!

I KNOW Karl Brooks isn't a "Edge Guy" but I for one am really anxious to see what he does against NFL starters. I wouldn't be surprised one bit if he produces...Hey, Karl Brooks for DROY!

Quay Walker...UNLEASH the beast baby!!

All good points!

In addition, as the Packer offense continues to improve, the opposition will be forced into one dimensional football as they find themselves trailing by more than one score in the second half.

The Colt defenses in the Peyton Manning era were not built to stuff the run BECAUSE teams that trail go away from the run. (But it appears that the GB edges defend that well too.)

And Quay could rush from inside as well; dial up those exotic blitzes, baby!

PS how soon will 52 get extended?

Improved pass rush from the middle with Ford, Slaton, Wyatt, and new additions Wooden and Brooks are likely having a positive effect on what is looking like a really talented OLB group. Like Cheesehead72, I was stoked about the Van Ness pick for the quality of help he brings to OLB, where we really needed depth. Hollins, Cox Jr., Banks and Mosby have been plus additions with different offerings .

Save for Gary's lightening fast recovery from his ACL, I'd say the biggest surprise in the OLB Room is Kingsley Enagbare. At 6-4 265, he packs some power. 10 5/8' (82%) hands are a plus in getting off blocks and to the QB. He had a huge 45 QB Pressures as a Senior at South Carolina. His vertical was 36.5 putting him in the 85th percentile amongst his draft class. He's explosive.

Touted as a player who never takes a snap off. I think we're starting to see that.

A year's development with LVN should pay big dividends in 2024, and while he's learning the ropes this season. He's been rock solid in RUN STOP. Nearly every defender we added in 2023 has RUN STOP as a strength, along with solid pass rush offerings. Good!

It's starting to look like a vastly improved pass rush from our interior DL and OLB, which should be difficult on opposing offenses, forcing them into poor decisions our secondary might benefit from. There's a chance heavy pass rush up the middle and from outside helps our CBs/Safeties in a big way this season.

I could see the savvy veteran Preston Smith having a big year with the mismatches our DL/OLBs present to opponents this season. Where do opposing Ds double team? This should be fun.

Walker will never start outside again.
Especially if Barry is his coach.
Justin Hollins should have been mentioned First.
I get your names, and that you never have enough Rushers.
But I just think you might be jumping the gun.
Especially if you're trying to find a Gary clone.
The truth is you can't tie money up in one defensive position.
And the big money player still needs a breather.
If Van Ess can follow Gary - Terrific.
But I just think they will follow Peppers more.
Especially as long as they continue to play the 3-4-4.
Fast Lbs do one thing - They move around. They cover.
And what the great ones do, is tackle in the open.
Ask them to go inside. It's can do.
The Packers OLBs are becoming one dimensional.
If the ILBs go out. Forget the playoffs.

Having a stout run D to compliment the pass rush is an absolute must. (Apologies for preaching to the choir.)

This has been the achilles heel of Barry's D. Last year the Packers pass D was outstanding (when not playing zone). But even then, the Pack defended the fewest pass attempts in the NFL...because the opponents were getting first downs and scores on the ground.

I think we have the Can Do/Will Do talent on the DL for a better run D. ILB with Campbell returning to flank Walker...should be solid. McDuffie is an ok backup but I would like to see Gutey try to add a FA ILB after NFL cutdowns. Safety remains a weakness but Ford will tackle and is quick. Maybe Johnson makes a move. Maybe someone on Gutey's cutdown board is available.

The key will be the coaches teaching and demanding discipline defending it.

There's depth here (as has been pointed out, Hollins was omitted) and with Gary likely to be available early on, there should be a really good rotation. Very encouraged by Enagbare showing well so far in camp. I thought he was a steal at draft time, waffled on him a bit during the season last year, but he has played very well and almost always seems to be on the plus side of the reports.

This group is six guys deep right now--they're not likely to keep six, so I wouldn't be surprised if they trade out of depth rather than risking losing a guy they hope to get to the PS to a claim at cutdowns.

I hope Barry does not hold back the development of Van Ness like he did Wyatt.

I really like our edge group.

First off getting Gary back already to me feels like a bonus. He is a difference maker who makes our entire defense better. Having him back will not only set the tone for the defense it will allow LVN time to develop, just like Gary did when he came into the league.
Smith is the veteran on the team. He does things that don't always go on the stat sheet, but he makes a difference.
Enagbare was a great pick in the 5th round last year. It looks like he is taking a year 2.
LVN I believe was a great pick. He will need a bit of time to develop just like Gary did. But he has great skills and will be able to be in the rotation from day 1.

One thing that I really like about our edge group doesn't have anything to do with our edge group. Its actually our DL. We have some guys along the DL now that will be able to provide a pass rush. Having an interior rush will give our OLB even more ability to get to the QB.
Gutey has done a really good job of adding to our defensive front. We have a lot of guys that make an impact!

I'm not as positive. The Packers number of sacks last year was in the bottom 10. Preston Smith and Rashan Gary are the only proven pass rushers and Gary is coming off an ACL. Enagbare looks decent, but he likely won't replace the production of Gary. So right there it looks worse than the below average season the Packers had last year. Van Ness has looked easily contained by backups. The rest are wishful thinking.

Great article ! I realize Justin Hollins was just an oversite he will be on the 53 .

Question. It looks like either ford or cox will not mske the 53 but of course and most likely im wrong. If they have have to choose between ford or cox which player has a more likely chance of being poached on waivers or from the practice squad?

I would say cox because edge rushers arw a premuim and while ford seems to excel in practice it seems like in the presean games he hasnt held up at all.

I think people are sleeping on Banks. A couple of writers have said he's been better than Cox over the last week. I'd guess they both end up on the PS but it wouldn't shock me if Banks makes the 53 over Cox.