If the Green Bay Packers are going to find success during the 2023 season, it will stem from their defense. The pieces are in place for them to have one of the better units in the NFL on that side of the ball and the group is motivated after a letdown in 2022.
The Packers were middle of the pack, at best, overall defensively last season. While the passing defense was very good, their run defense was abysmal. They ranked 26th in rushing yards allowed and 28th in yards per carry.
With veteran defensive tackles Dean Lowry and Jarran Reed both departing in free agency, the Packers are going to be relying on young, inexperienced players to step up and help turn things around. One of those players will be 2022 first-round pick, Devonte Wyatt.
Wyatt was selected No. 28 overall out of Georgia last year but played sparingly as a rookie. He is now expected to play a big role in the defensive line rotation, likely starting alongside Pro Bowler, Kenny Clark.
The former Bulldog is ready to get after and issued a warning to the rest of the NFL about what is to come in 2023. Matt Schneidman of The Athletic shared the intriguing quote from Wyatt.
“I can tell you right now — this defense, we bringing more pressure, we attacking more and we ready to dominate more this year than last year.”
In the early stages of training camp, that is exactly what has been occurring. Wyatt and the Packers’ defensive line has been one of the standouts in the early going of training camp. The speed and athleticism of the unit have stood out, which should mean good things for the regular season.
The Packers added two more rookies in the trenches in the 2023 NFL Draft with Colby Wooden and Karl Brooks. Along with Wyatt, they have infused youth and speed into the defensive line, providing the team with a much-needed different look.
With pressure mounting on defensive coordinator Joe Barry, this group will need to step up in the regular season. So far so good as all signs are pointing to them helping get the run defense on track.
