Detroit Lions: NFC North interior defensive line preview
Green Bay Packers
Key returning players: Kenny Clark, Mike Daniels, Montravius Adams, Dean Lowry
New additions: Kingsley Keke (R)
Key losses: Muhammad Wilkerson
Under defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, the Green Bay Packers run a modified odd-man base front, with several interior-sized lineman occupying each spot up front. With a new crop of edge rushers acquired this offseason, the Packers, like the Lions, will look for their interior defenders to plug holes and stop the run, while contributing whatever quarterback pressure they can muster.
While Green Bay has no one near the size or ability of the Lions’ Damon Harrison, they do boast an impressive trio of veterans who should continue to get the bulk of the snaps in 2018. Kenny Clark, Dean Lowry and Mike Daniels are reliable contributors, with Clark the standout of the group.
Clark had a breakout campaign in 2018, registering six sacks establishing himself as one of the premier run-stuffers in the NFC. The future is very bright for him, and he will be a force to contend with for the rest of the division in 2019.
Daniels will be one to watch in this year as well. With Clark’s ascension, Daniels’ role was reduced slightly last year, and he will be 30 years old when the season starts. He is under contract only through 2019. Will this light a fire under the New Jersey native? Or has he peaked, and is slowly on the way out in Wisconsin?
The Packers signed veteran Muhammad Wilkerson to a one-year deal last offseason in hopes that the former New York Jet would add some pass rush juice to their front. It didn’t pan out, and he played just three games before an ankle injury ended his season, without a single quarterback takedown. After a DWI arrest last month, his double-digit sack days appear to be long gone. He remains a free agent.
Rookie Kingsley Keke could be a sleeper addition for the Packers. He also has the versatility and athleticism to kick outside in pass rush situations, and could push Daniels and Lowry for snaps with a solid training camp.
The Packers invested heavily in reshaping their edge group this offseason, and more pressure from that unit could help take some of responsibility off of these interior players. New head coach Matt Lafleur decided to retain Pettine after a rocky first season running the defense. The Packers hope that their solid group of interior defenders will help make that decision the right one.