Without Khalil Mack, What Are the Answers at Outside Linebacker?

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Without Khalil Mack, What Are the Answers at Outside Linebacker?

The Khalil Mack dream is dead. So, now what for the outside linebacker group?

Sep 04, 2018

Since Brian Gutekunst took the reins as general manager this year, he’s made it a clear priority to address the problematic cornerback play that has plagued the Packers’ defense.

But every investment has an opportunity cost.

By definition, it’s impossible to make fixing every problem a “priority,” and in aggressively trying to fix Green Bay’s ailing secondary, Gutekunst left the outside linebacker position virtually unchanged this offseason.

It appears that the Packers were in on the Khalil Mach sweepstakes—just as Gutekunst promised when he got the job—but, alas, the offer wasn’t quite good enough. As it stands now, the team has four outside linebackers on the roster, and one of them is Kyler Fackrell. Clay Matthews and Nick Perry are productive when healthy, which is frustratingly rare. And twice a preseason darling, Reggie Gilbert will be asked to be a very productive in games that count immediately.

A team can’t be deep at every position, and it appears this is one group where the injury risk is high and the ramifications of a major injury could be devastating to the Packers’ chances at a ring.

But I still believe in Matthews and Perry. Both are still good-to-very-good players even if neither is a star, yet some fans are insufferable with their criticism of the duo. It could be because they both have large contracts. Maybe it’s because they were first-round picks. Or perhaps people have just gotten sick and tired of just having the same problem year after year. The reasons, however, almost always have to do with context—not the players themselves.

If instead they were two new guys named May Clatthews and Pick Nerry, who produced just the same, fans would likely be fine with them. Perhaps they’d still wish for a star, around whom opposing coordinators were forced to build game plans, but it’d be considered a solid duo. Fans will certainly feel however they want, but it’s important to remember that evaluating a player is not at all the same thing as evaluating a front office’s evaluation of a player.

Fans have a hard time knowing how to feel about injury-prone players. When Matthews is healthy, his athleticism jumps off the screen, while Perry is a steady No. 2 when he’s right. But getting 32 starts from this pair looks impossible at this point, and fans are already frustrated with that Week 5 hamstring pull that feels totally inevitable for Matthews. All of that is fine.

But saying these guys aren’t tough is simply not okay. The irony of a spectator sipping a beer in a his favorite watering hole while declaring these players “soft” is just too much. To make matters worse, when Matthews is playing through his myriad soft-tissue injuries, that beer sipper complains that he’s not any good.

There is a point where “playing through the pain” is detrimental to the team, and unfortunate as it is that Matthews and Perry seemingly dance around that point every season, it’s not their fault they get hurt. The situation is frustrating, but blaming the players is a silly response.

Rooting that Gutekunst would bring in reinforcements, however, seems absolutely called for. Mack would have been a tremendously exciting addition, but that saga is now over. Other teams aren’t willing to even let quality backups free, but perhaps the Packers will stumble upon some small measure of veteran help, much like they did with the Ahmad Brooks addition last year.

Long-term, however, the outlook is bright. Pass-rushing is a highly coveted skill, and the players who do it best are taken early in drafts. A first-round pick has led the NFL in sacks eight of the last 14 seasons, and seven of the top 10 sack artists last year were drafted in the first round.

The bottom line is that teams need to invest serious draft capital into rushing the passer if they want serious results, and next year’s draft just happens to be loaded with pass-rushing talent. Including versatile, bigger lineman that may be seen as the long-term answer Muhammad Wilkerson’s spot, there could be as many as a dozen players taken in the first round who give quarterbacks nightmares.

It’s still incredibly early in the scouting process, but the Packers’ needs may align perfectly with the draft’s strengths in a year when they have two first-round picks. And If I can see the path to a long-term plan here, it’s likely that Gutekunst could see it months ago, and it just might have been the reason why he chose to address cornerback instead of outside linebacker this year.

__________________________

Matt Kelley is a staff writer for Cheesehead TV. He can be found on Twitter via @hustleandheart1.

Comments (82)

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Gforcetrivers

September 04, 2018 at 12:06 pm

Anybody else worried about blocking that guy?

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Point-Packer

September 04, 2018 at 12:50 pm

For the foreseeable future and likely till #12 retires. Yeah....

Qoojo

September 04, 2018 at 02:32 pm

It depends on the rest of chicago's DL. Mack alone can be handled. When they last played in the regular season, Mack had 1 sack for 5 yards, 1 tackle, and 1 assist. In my opinion, he isn't a game changer like Reggie White. He is really good, but he can't carry a defense for stretches like White could.

As long as MM doesn't go stupid for too long, and refuse to give help if and when it is needed, Packers should be able to mitigate Mack most of the time. Mack probably will get a few sacks over the years when Rodgers hangs onto the ball too long.

Oppy

September 04, 2018 at 02:51 pm

No more so than I was worried about blocking John Randall, both of the Williams, Jarred Allen, Mike Singletary, Lance Briggs, Ndamukong Suh, etc etc.

Yes, Mack is a great pass rusher.
No, it's not the first time the Packers have had to deal with great defenders in the division.

I enjoy competition in the games. I don't know that'd I'd care to watch if everything was easy and a guaranteed win. I look forward to watching Bulaga, Bakhtiari, and everyone else battle against Mack and defend the edges.

PAPackerbacker

September 04, 2018 at 06:45 pm

Not any more than blocking the likes of Von Miller,, Terrel Suggs, Anthony Barr, Myles Jack, Jadeveon Clowney........ or any other great linebacker of any NFL team. Aaron Rodgers is a master of avoiding pressure and making great plays outside the pocket or with his legs. I'm sure Mack will get his share of sacks, but Rodgers will more than make that up with his own skills and athletic abilities as well by way of extending plays and throwing touchdowns passes. Go! Pack! Go!