Pro Bowler Kenny Clark is hopeful that second-year defensive lineman Kinglsey Keke can play a major role in helping the Green Bay Packers improve upfront on defense in 2020.
Clark noted Keke’s athleticism and potential, especially as a pass-rusher, as evidence for what the young defensive lineman can bring to the table this season.
“A guy that has a lot of potential,” Clark said during a Zoom call with reporters on Monday. “I think he has a lot of potential to be a great rusher too. Not only can he stop the run but he can be a really good rusher. He’s really athletic. Has a lot of ability.”
The Packers drafted Keke in the fifth round of last year’s draft. He played sparingly as a rookie, seeing the field for only 94 defensive snaps, but the Packers will likely need him to play a much bigger role in 2020, especially if the defensive line group wants to improve without a major outside addition.
Clark didn’t want to add unnecessary hype ahead of Keke’s second season but insisted he’ll need Keke to help the Packers take the next step along the line of scrimmage on defense.
“I’m not going to sit here and hype him up and stuff, but I want all the guys to come in and be ready to work and do their part and just make the defensive line better,” Clark said. “I think Keke is going to be a huge part of the plan of doing that.”
Getting a big second-year leap from Keke would help, but Clark knows it’ll take a more complete and consistent team effort from everyone upfront to get better in 2020.
“Everybody has to be more consistent,” Clark said. “That’s what it takes. I do think we have the guys in the room. I think our scheme is great. Coach (Pettine) puts us in a lot of situations to where we can win one-on-ones in the run and pass game. We just have to capitalize. It’s going to take a mentality. We have to make the plays and sometimes we got to make plays when it’s not asked of us.”
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