The Green Bay Packers are a team that feels a little bit overlooked heading into the 2023 season. Going from Aaron Rodgers to Jordan Love at the quarterback position is certainly a big risk, but one that the franchise was ready to make.
There will certainly be some bumps in the road with a new starting quarterback as Love only has one career start under his belt. He won’t be aided by a veteran-laden supporting cast either as his top three wide receivers and top two tight ends could all be first and second-year players.
With so much inexperience on the offensive side of the ball, the Packers will be relying heavily on their defense to step up and shoulder the load. Green Bay thought they had a defense capable of doing that in 2022, but the results weren’t there.
The Packers were average defensively, ranking 17th in points surrendered and yardage allowed. They especially struggled against the run, ranking 26th in rushing yards allowed and 28th in rushing yards per attempt allowed.
In addition to struggling to stop the run, the Packers’ defensive line also struggled to consistently generate pressure on the quarterback. Green Bay recorded only 34 sacks last season. Rashan Gary, who played in only nine games before injuring his knee, still finished second on the team with 6.0, as Preston Smith led the way with 8.5.
The pass rush was bolstered by the selection of Lukas Van Ness in the first round, but Green Bay could certainly use a little more juice. That is why they have been named as a potential suitor for Yannick Ngakoue by Michael Gallagher of Yardbarker.
Ngakoue doesn’t offer much as an edge setter in the run game but he can certainly get after the quarterback. He has recorded at least 8.0 sacks, 11 quarterback hits and 44 pressures in every season of his career as he can be a one-man pass-rushing wrecking crew.
It is a bit surprising that he remains available at this point in the offseason as teams can never have too many pass rushers and Ngakoue is a very good one. He would provide the Packers with excellent value and turn a weakness into a strength.
Adding Ngakoue and Van Ness to the rotation alongside Smith would give the Packers a formidable pass rush. Eventually get Gary back in the mix and up to speed and they could have one of the better pass-rushing groups in the NFL.
