2020 Packers breakout candidates: DL Kingsley Keke

Why second-year DL Kingsley Keke could be a breakout player for the Packers in 2020.

The Green Bay Packers didn’t augment their defensive line group with any notable additions through the NFL Draft or free agency this offseason, despite struggling mightily with run defense a season ago.

Judging by their offseason approach, it appears the Packers are content to bank heavily on internal improvement to fix their woeful run defense in 2020.

It’s possible that free agent linebacker Christian Kirksey or fifth-round rookie linebacker Kamal Martin will help them improve in that department, but good run defense always starts up front and the Packers didn’t add any new players that are likely to make a big difference in the trenches this season.

To solve their issues up front, the Packers will need players like Kingsley Keke and Montravius Adams to step up, and players like Dean Lowry and Tyler Lancaster to bounce back from disappointing seasons.

In three NFL seasons, Adams hasn’t shown much improvement or looked like he could be much more than a situational player. Lowry, a fifth-year player, had a couple of solid seasons prior to 2019, which earned him a starter-level paycheck last offseason. Lancaster, a third-year player, was rock-solid in 2018 when he was playing more nose tackle and less defensive end.

Out of the aforementioned players, Keke, a 2019 fifth-round pick, seems most likely to lead any internal improvement on the Packers’ defensive line.

In 2019, Keke recorded 10 tackles and played only nine percent of defensive snaps. As a second-year player in 2020, though, he is likely to receive a much higher snap count and an ample opportunity for a breakout season.

Why he’ll break out:

  1. The Packers didn’t address their defensive line with any notable offseason additions. Keke is arguably their most talented interior defensive lineman not named Kenny Clark, and he should have plenty of opportunities to lock down a starting job this season.
  2. Keke will be surrounded on the defensive line by Clark, Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith. Having such a talented supporting cast should lead to favorable matchups.
  3. Having skilled pass rushers to learn from in Clark and the Smiths could flatten his learning curve and help him make a big impact as a pass rusher in Year 2.
  4. Now that he’s had a season to learn defensive coordinator Mike Pettine’s playbook, he should be more comfortable with his role in the defense and have the ability to play faster.

Why he might not break out:

  1. Progression isn’t always linear. Keke might not take a significant step forward this year and he could remain buried on the defensive line depth chart behind Lowry and Lancaster.
  2. Injuries could derail his season.

They said it:

“He was a guy that, as the year went on, and he got his opportunities in there, he was productive for us. He’s someone we’re looking forward to having a much more increased role.” – defensive coordinator Mike Pettine

Previous 2020 Packers Breakout Candidates:

Rashan Gary

Allen Lazard

Jace Sternberger

Darnell Savage