The Green Bay Packers will go into the 2020 NFL draft with a chance to use the team’s 10 draft picks to build on a roster that finished 13-3 and advanced to the NFC title game in 2019. GM Brian Gutekunst has three picks in the top 100 selections and seven Day 3 picks.
Packers Wire’s position-by-position draft preview rolls on at defensive line:
On the roster
– Kenny Clark, 24, signed through 2020
– Dean Lowry, 25, signed through 2022
– Montravius Adams, 24, signed through 2021
– Tyler Lancaster, 25, signed through 2020
– Kingsley Keke, 23, signed through 2022
Short term need
Moderate, shading towards high. The Packers have five defensive linemen on the roster with playing experience, including one Pro Bowler (Kenny Clark) and one multi-year starter (Dean Lowry). Depth is a major question mark. While Tyler Lancaster can play a role and usually play it well, Montravius Adams has done nothing in two NFL seasons, and Kingsley Keke is an unknown. The Packers need a bounce-back year from Lowry and development from Adams and Keke to take a step along the defensive line in 2020. It was a little surprising the Packers didn’t dip into the free-agent class and find a veteran who can add something. There were cheap options. A high pick capable of playing a rotational or specific role could help ease the burden next season.
Long term need
Moderate. The Packers will likely get a long-term deal done with Clark, and Lowry and Keke are signed for another three seasons. Players are shuffled through the defensive line room often in the NFL, however, so continually adding talent is a must for all general managers. Continuing to find help for Clark, who had to carry a heavy load in the middle of the defense last season, should be both a short-term and long-term goal.
Chances of drafting position
Almost guaranteed. The Packers have drafted at least one defensive lineman every year since 1985. This team prioritizes big guys along the line of scrimmage, and the roster needs more talent next to Kenny Clark. Former GM Ted Thompson was often fond of taking two or more defensive linemen. With 10 picks, the Packers could double-dip again. The supply for quality big guy is usually low, so demand is always high, especially in Green Bay.
Depth of draft class
Solid. Derrick Brown and Javon Kinlaw will likely go in the first half of the first round, but good players along the defensive line should be available late in the first round and well into Day 2. Finding perfect scheme fits might be challenging, but the Packers play so much subpackage that the fit in the 3-4 probably means less and less.
Potential options
– Marlon Davidson, Auburn
– Ross Blacklock, TCU
– Jordan Elliott, Missouri
– Raekwon Davis, Alabama
– Neville Gallimore, Oklahoma
– Leki Fotu, Utah
– Jason Strowbridge, UNC
– McTelvin Agim, Arkansas
– Robert Windsor, Penn State
Last DL drafted
2019. The Packers took Kingsley Keke out of Texas A&M with the 150th overall pick.
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