The Green Bay Packers are set to open training camp later this month. This is the next in a series of articles previewing the Packers position by position, analyzing the talent on the roster and discussing key questions that are facing the team as they begin preparation for the 2025 season. Today we will examine the defensive tackles. We will examine another position each day until the start of training camp. To read our quarterbacks analysis, click here. These are three big questions facing the Green Bay Packers at defensive tackle entering training camp in 2025:
The Projected Candidates: Starters: Kenny Clark and Devonte Wyatt; Backups: Karl Brooks, Colby Wooden; Fighting for roster spots: Warren Brinson, Nazir Stackhouse, Cameron Young, James Ester, Keith Randolph, Nesta Jade Silvera
Three Big Questions Facing the Packers at Defensive Tackle, Number One: Can Kenny Clark Bounce Back?
Kenny Clark has earned Pro Bowl honors three times since the Packers made him their first round pick out of UCLA back in 2016. But Clark’s play fell off significantly in 2024 after setting a career-high with 7.5 sacks in 2023. Last year, he managed only one sack and rarely got penetration into the backfield which is one thing that made him so successful over the course of his career.
We later learned that Clark played with a broken toe throughout the season. The injury compromised his burst and explosiveness.
Clark will turn 30 in October. The big question will be whether the injury was the primary cause of his fall off last season or if Father Time is beginning to catch up with him. If the Packers can get Clark back to something close to where he was two years ago, the defensive line will see a solid boost in 2025.
Number Two: Will Devonte Wyatt Have a Breakout Season?
The Packers picked up the fifth-year option of Devonte Wyatt so he will be back in 2026 on a one-year deal. The former first round pick out of Georgia has given the Packers good pressure on quarterbacks from the interior of the defensive line, but he has yet to win a starting job.
Wyatt recorded five sacks last season at defensive tackle but didn’t start any games. He played just 41 percent of the team’s defensive snaps in the 14 games he played.
Wyatt needs to be more consistent and play the run better to have that breakout season. He hopes to be healthy this year and finally reach his full potential. If he does, he could sign a very lucrative contract with the Packers in the next year.
Three Big Questions Facing the Packers at Defensive Tackle, Number Three: How Do the Packers Replace T.J. Slaton?
T.J. Slaton gave the Packers big nose tackle in the middle of the defensive line who could occupy blockers and allow his teammates to make tackles. He was a run stuffing specialist who did that unglamorous job well. Slaton left as a free agent this offseason, so the Packers need to find a replacement to fill that role.
As expected, GM Brian Gutekunst addressed a potential replacement on day three of the draft when he added Warren Brinson. Then, he signed Brinson’s Georgia teammate, Nazir Stackhouse as an undrafted free agent. He also added former Seahawks draft pick Cameron Young. These players are among the contenders to take the nose tackle position.
The Packers run defense improved dramatically last season. To continue to stop the run well, the Packers will need somebody to step up and play the role of run-stuffing nose tackle. A rotation between multiple players is also possible.
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