In a defense where the ends are expected to be pure pass rushers, how does Preston Smith fit in?
In this installment of State of the Roster, we’ll discuss defensive end, one of the more intriguing positions in the Green Bay Packers’ new 4-3 defense. Reggie White most likely springs to mind when you think of 4-3 defensive ends in the Green Bay Packers, but we’ll explain why this specific 4-3 defense is seeking a somewhat different body type. It’s also unclear if one of the Packers’ starting quarterbacks fits the scheme’s template, which raises concerns about his future on the team this season.
Please find attached our position-by-position publication schedule for this series as a reminder:
.2/13: The attacking backfield
.2/14: Receivers of passes
.2/15: Line of offensive
.Defensive tackles: 2/16
.2/19: Defense wins out
.Linebackers: 2/20
.2/21: Wide Receivers
.2/22: Security
.2.23: Experts
DEFENSIVE END:
The following players are under contract: Arron Mosby, Keshawn Banks, Preston Smith, Lukas Van Ness, Kingsley Enagbare, Brenton Cox Jr., Deandre Johnson, Deslin Alexandre, and Kenneth Odumegwu.
To begin, let me mention what I wrote in our State of the Roster series in the defensive tackle edition.
Hafley’s 4-3 defense ought to resemble the schemes used by the New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers, and Houston Texans, all of whom have defensive coordinators from the same family. It’s just not true that the Packers will now be looking for large, edge-setting defensive ends.
Take a look at the new players these teams have added. In order to acquire pass-rusher Will Anderson Jr., who is listed at 243 pounds, in last year’s draft, the Houston Texans had to move up to the third overall pick. The 255-pound Bryce Huff and the 241-pound 2023 first-round selection Will McDonald help the New York Jets pressure the quarterback. This season, the San Francisco 49ers added Chase Young (264 pounds), Randy Gregory (242 pounds), and Clelin Ferrell (265 pounds) to their defensive end.
Going future, Green Bay’s edge defender position—now a defensive end position—will revolve around rushing the quarterback. It wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest if a few of the team’s defensive ends decided to lose a little weight in an attempt to accelerate a little bit.
Where does that leave us then? The coaching staff has commended Preston Smith, an outside linebacker, for his ability to drop into coverage even though the team’s official website lists him at 265 pounds, which may be an understatement of his playing weight. Smith isn’t what the strategy usually calls for—a pure pass-rusher. Smith is projected to earn $12.4 million in cash in 2024, so it’s at least worthwhile to explore whether or not he plans to stay with the organization under his present contract. Given that Smith is currently something of a square peg in a round hole, don’t be shocked if his contract is adjusted in any way, whether it be through a trade, release, or reorganization.
Rashan Gary and Lukas Van Ness, two players who were selected in the first round in the past, should be given more opportunities in this scheme because they both rush the passer more effectively from a three-point stance than from a two-point stance. Especially when he was a stand-up pass-rusher, Van Ness always appeared uncomfortable and/or awkward. With a different defensive plan, maybe the second-year player can start 2024 out strong.
Kingsley Enagbare would have been the expected fourth pass-rusher going into this season prior to his injury. However, given his current ACL damage, it’s expected that Enagbare will be placed on the physically unable to perform list at the beginning of the 2024 regular season. If he were to suit up for the first few months of the upcoming season, that would be a rather startling occurrence.
There is a little gap in the depth at the position with Enagbare out of the team, at least temporarily. The Packers are currently trying to address that problem by flooding the position with players.
Keshawn Banks, Brenton Cox Jr., Arron Mosby, Deandre Johnson, Deslin Alexandre, and Kenneth Odumegwu are under contract at the lower end of the depth chart. Banks, a member of the 2023 practice squad, was chosen above 53-man roster member Cox when Enagbare went down. That is something to watch going forward.
It would be an understatement to suggest that these are untested products. Given the method that Green Bay plans to employ, it shouldn’t come as a surprise if they add a draft pick to the mix. This position group is one that the team is expected to be strong at.
