The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2023 NFL draft.
The Green Bay Packers struggled to consistently put pressure on the quarterback this past season. Rashan Gary may miss the beginning of the season as he continues to rehab from a torn ACL. Preston Smith will be a year older and the upcoming season could be his last go around in Green Bay. Kingsley Enagbare flashed during his rookie season.
Add it all up and the Packers need to add an edge rusher or two this offseason. Luckily for the Packers, the 2023 NFL Draft has no shortage of talented edge rushers.
An edge rusher that Brian Gutekunst could target on day three of the 2023 NFL Draft is Habakkuk Baldonado. The Pittsburgh edge rusher checks in at No. 71 in the Unpacking Future Packers countdown.
A native of Rome, Baldonado moved from Italy to Florida in 2017. He played one year of high school football at Clearwater Academy International.
In 2019, Baldonado recorded 4.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. After missing the majority of the 2020 season due to injury, Baldonado recorded 41 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and nine sacks in 2021. This past season Baldonado recorded five tackles for loss and two sacks.
Growing up in Italy, Baldonado tried his hand at a variety of sports, swimming, MMA, and soccer. He played three seasons of football in Italy before moving to Florida and playing one year of high school football.
“I’d say Baldonado’s greatest strength is his athleticism,” Noah Hiles, the Pitt Athletics reporter for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said. “Haba is still a very raw project, having played just one year of football in the United States before arriving at Pitt. This guy was a receiver at the high school level, and a good one too, averaging 24.4 yards per reception (nine catches for 220 yards) during his senior season. When healthy, Baldonado has a combination of size and speed that will make him a great addition to a pass rush, especially on third down. The more football he plays, the better he gets.”
Baldonado has a quick first step off the snap and the lower body flexibility to bend. Once he wins the corner he has long strides to help him close on the quarterback. He has good length, with active hands to help keep himself clean. He converts speed to power. Baldonado has the lateral agility to loop. In 2021, Baldonado led all ACC edge rushers with 48 pressures. That number was cut in half this past season.
“Baldonado will be the first to admit that his 2022 season didn’t go according to plan,” Hiles said. “While his teammate Calijah Kancey put together an All-American campaign, injuries prevented Baldonado from finding a groove. Baldonado’s 2021 season, where he tallied nine sacks and 12.0 tackles for loss, is a better showing of what he can do, when at full health. Baldonado received a ton of attention from opposing teams, which opened up opportunities for others. With that being said, injuries and adjustments will have to be two things he will also have to deal with at the next level.”
Baldonado sets a firm edge against the run. He can be hard to root out. He does a good job of anchoring down and holding the edge. Baldonado has good pursuit speed as a backside defender. He plays with a red-hot motor and coaches will love his hustle.
“Run defense is always a priority for Pitt,” Hiles said. “Pat Narduzzi would rather allow 400 yards through the air than 100 on the ground in any game he coaches. Having played in that system, where expectations are high against opposing rushing attacks, Baldonado held his own. His greatest value against the run was shown against mobile quarterbacks, which the Panthers faced plenty of last fall, including names like Hendon Hooker, Malik Cunningham, and Drake Maye.”
Fit with the Packers
The Packers need to add edge rushers as they look for Gary’s long-term running mate. Baldonado could step in and provide quality depth early in his career.
With his untapped potential and athletic twitch, Baldonado has the upside to develop into Gary’s running mate on the edge for the Packers.
Habakkuk Baldonado led all ACC Edges in pressures last season 💪@Pitt_FB pic.twitter.com/OuI6s25Vbj
— PFF College (@PFF_College) June 1, 2022
“Baldonado is worth a Day 3 pick because of what he can be,” Hiles said. “You look at him and see the potential instantly. His build is ideal for an NFL edge rusher. His speed will allow him to be used in creative ways. He is far from a finished product, but if used correctly, Baldonado could be a very effective NFL player next season.”
The name of the game is to get after the quarterback and Baldonado has recorded 72 pressures over the past two seasons. With his raw potential, the Packers could roll the dice on the Pitt edge rusher as they look for more playmakers on defense.
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