After examining the Green Bay Packers roster on the offensive side of the ball ahead of the new league year and NFL free agency opening next week, it’s now the turn of the defense to go under the microscope.
Green Bay has a new defensive coordinator in Jonathan Gannon, and moves will soon start to be made that provide insight into how he wants to run things after taking over from Jeff Hafley.
Here is a position-by-position breakdown of where the roster stands on defense:
Defensive tackle
They have bodies and depth – although that was tested at the back end of last year – but the Packers simply need to get better on the interior.
Kenny Clark was traded away last year and could not be replaced before or in season, Brooks has not progressed enough to be a true every-down lineman, and Wooden seemed to hit a wall late last year after a bright start.
Brinson did well for a sixth-round pick and Stackhouse is also a worthwhile depth piece, but they should not be relied upon. After Wyatt went down on Thanksgiving, Green Bay’s front severely lacked juice, and that should not be surprising given the draft pedigree of the rest of the group.
It could be a focus point for the team in free agency, but the problem is that most of the options are old. Do the Packers want to go back into those waters, as GM Brian Gutekunst suggested they were open to? Either way, a relatively early draft pick at defensive tackle is sorely needed.
Edge rusher
This is a good depth chart on paper despite Green Bay being set to lose Kingsley Enagbare, but there are issues and questions beneath the surface.
Parsons may miss a few games to start next season, Gary is being paid too much for his production on the field and that needs to be figured out with either a pay cut or a release.
The Packers must decide on LVN’s fifth year option, and they probably pick it up, but if Gary stays, it becomes harder for him to take on the bigger role he looked ready for when healthy in 2025.
Gutekunst should be happy with Sorrell and Oliver as further depth for the moment, but if Gary gets cut loose, another draft pick or maybe even a free agent addition could be on the cards.
Linebacker
Linebacker is arguably the thinnest position group on the current roster, especially now Quay Walker looks to be heading for the exit.
Can McDuffie be an every down guy in Gannon’s defense? Is Hopper ready to start in base? Even if the answer is “yes” to both, the Packers need more bodies.
The free agency and draft class look strong and deep for the linebacker position, giving Green Bay multiple avenues to augment the room. It will be interesting to see how aggressively they attack it.
Cornerback
The defense was able to get by with what they had at cornerback when the pass rush was good in 2025, so in theory they could survive if they had to play a game tomorrow, but after a nightmare first season, Hobbs gave the Packers very little. That needs to change.
Nixon and Valentine are fine, especially given their cheap contracts, and Hadden seemed to be pushing for playing time but is now coming off a serious ankle injury. He is an exclusive rights free agent and should be kept, and the same goes for WR/CB Melton.
This position feels more like one to spend a draft pick or two on than a free agent, unless the Packers opt to end the Hobbs experience early. A piece of possibly related good news: Bullard made huge strides in the slot last year and has given Gutekunst one less thing to worry about.
Safety
The Packers will be very satisfied with their starting duo of McKinney and Williams, with Bullard also able to step in at what was his natural position if needed. Oladapo has been buried in a talented room but was a strong prospect in his own right coming out.
Safety is the only spot where it is hard to make an argument Green Bay needs to make any moves at all during this offseason.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers pre-free agency roster evaluation Part 2: Defense
Reporting by Mark Oldacres, Packers Wire / Packers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
