This is the next in a series of articles providing an in-depth analysis of each position group on the Green Bay Packers for 2024. Today we will analyze the defensive ends. 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 ends in 2024. The marks are based on a combination of expectations and performance.
You can see our final grade for the quarterbacks here and for the defensive line here. The running backs are here, the linebackers here, and tight ends here.
Final Grades for the 2024 Packers Defensive Ends: The Starters
Rashan Gary led the team with 7.5 sacks and earned an invitation to the Pro Bowl. His play against the run improved over the previous season. Unfortunately, Gary had trouble adjusting to playing defensive end as opposed to outside linebacker and his pass rush production fell off.
Gary started the season very slowly but picked up his production later in the season. His overall pass rush numbers were down. In addition to having 1.5 fewer sacks, his quarterback hits went down from 22 in 2023 to 15 in 2024.
Hopefully a full season in Jeff Hafley’s defense will pay dividends next season.
Veteran Preston Smith had even more difficulty adjusting to the new defense. In fact, he asked to be traded and was dealt to the Steelers at the trade deadline.
Smith recorded 2.5 sacks in nine games before the trade. His overall play fell off as he was just not comfortable playing in a 4-3 scheme.
Kingsley Enagbare started the remaining seven games of the season after Smith was traded. He recorded 4.5 sacks, up from two a year ago. Enagbare forced two fumbles and made six tackles for loss.
It’s unclear whether Enagbare will return as a starter, but he did play consistently when he was in the lineup. He ended up playing 47 percent of the team’s defensive snaps.
Primary Backups
Lukas Van Ness played better against the run but failed to advance as a pass rusher. He went down to three sacks after recording four as a rookie. Van Ness needs to develop a secondary move besides the bull rush to be successful in the NFL. Unless he develops more moves, he will never develop into a strong NFL pass rusher.
Van Ness saw the field more often in his second season. Although he didn’t start any games, he played 39 percent of the Packers defensive snaps after playing 33 as a rookie.
Final Grades for the 2024 Packers Defensive Ends: Depth
One player who saw more playing time after the Packers traded Smith was Brenton Cox. Cox played in seven games and recorded four sacks. He made 12 total tackles including five tackles for loss.
Cox took a step forward in his second NFL season. He showed promise as a pass rusher in limited opportunities. If he takes another step forward, he could compete for more playing time in 2025.
Arron Mosby enjoyed a strong training camp and surprised a lot of people by making the team. He played 16 games and recorded half a sack. The former Fresno State star played 15 percent of the Packers defensive snaps on defense and also contributed on special teams. He made 12 total tackles and knocked down two passes.
Final Grade:
The Packers defensive line played well against the run, but they struggled to provide consistent pass rush unless Hafley used blitz packages. As a result, defensive line coach Jason Rebrovich was fired after the season.
GM Brian Gutekunst feels the talent is there for the front four to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Doing that better next season will be vital to taking the defense to the next level.
The Packers may still fortify the defensive end position this offseason either in the draft or via free agency. The pass rush needs to be better and more consistent.
FINAL GRADE: C+
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