This is the next in a series of articles providing an in-depth analysis of each position group on the Green Bay Packers for 2025. Today we will analyze the defensive tackles. The grades will be for each unit as a whole, but we will give an analysis of each player, their strengths and weaknesses and where they stand heading into the offseason. Here are the grades for the Packers defensive tackles in 2025. The marks are based on a combination of expectations and performance. Remember the average grade is C+.
You can see our final grade for the quarterbacks here.
The Packers run defense finished 18th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game with 117.7 and 12th in the league in average yards allowed per rush with 4.2. The Packers also ranked 21st in the league with 36 sacks.
Final Grades for the Packers 2025 Defensive Tackles: The Starters
Former first-round pick, Devonte Wyatt finally established himself as a starter this season and was by far the team’s best interior defensive lineman. Wyatt provided the team with pressure along the interior of the defensive line, something no other player on the roster could do. His run defense was not great, but once he was injured after 10 playing the first 10 games of the season, the team really felt his absence.
Wyatt finished the season with four sacks and seven quarterback hits in 10 games. He also made six tackles for loss.
Colby Wooden started opposite Wyatt. He primarily played on running downs. He failed to record a sack all season and recorded just three quarterback hits. He did make 50 total tackles which included six tackles for loss. Wooden was reliable but hardly spectacular this season. He was on the field for 52 percent of the Packers defensive snaps this season, coming off in obvious passing situations.
The Primary Backups
Karl Brooks took over as the starter opposite Wooden when Wyatt suffered a season-ending injury. Brooks had a fast start to his NFL career but has yet to take a major step forward since his surprising rookie campaign.
Brooks made a career-high 28 tackles this season, but only half a sack, five quarterback hits, and one tackle for loss. According to Pro Football Focus, Brooks’ run defense was well below average while he was average at rushing the passer. He did not take advantage of the opportunity presented by Wyatt’s absence.
Warren Brinson played 11 games and started one in his first NFL season. He made 13 total tackles and recorded half a sack and three quarterback hits. Brinson showed flashes as a pass rusher but struggled to stop the run. The Packers hope the 6th-round pick continues to develop in his second season and assumes a bigger role.
Final Grades for the 2025 Packers Defensive Tackles: Depth Players
Rookie Nazir Stackhouse made the team as an undrafted free agent. The Packer signed him to be a run-stopping nose tackle. Stackhouse played 13 games and started one. He made 12 tackles on the season while playing 19 percent of the team’s defensive snaps.
Stackhouse didn’t grade out well in the eyes of Pro Football Focus. He provided little to no pass rush and was not graded well against the run either. The Packers are hoping he takes a step forward in his second NFL season.
Jordon Riley signed with the Packers late in the season after injuries hit the defensive line. Riley appeared in four games before he was also injured, and he ended the season on IR. Riley was brought in to help stop the run, but his run defense grades were very disappointing.
When Riley suffered his season-ending injury, the Packers re-signed former draft pick, Jonathan Ford. Ford played in the regular season finale and the playoff game. He made two tackles in the regular season game and three in the playoff game. Ford didn’t stand out but he provided the Packers with average play in the middle of the line.
Final Grade for the Packers 2025 Defensive Tackles
Wyatt played at a high level and provided pressure on quarterbacks on a consistent basis. But the rest of the unit failed to be more than replacement level players. Once Wyatt left the lineup, the play of the entire defense noticeably fell off. The run defense wasn’t as good, and the pass rush declined as well.
This area needs improvement before next season. Getting a healthy Wyatt back will be a good first step.
Overall, the play of the defensive tackles was a disappointment. The new defensive coordinator will have to help rebuild this position group in 2026.
FINAL GRADE: C-
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