I'm excited about their growth potential...

But without Parsons last year, the Packers defense wasn't able to do anything, and with Parson injured, Gary and Engabare gone, the Packers only have one of their quality edge rushers back (until Parson gets healthy) and Van Ness CLEARLY had the least amount of snaps of the four...

And that scares the crap out of me...

That being said, hopefully getting Wyatt back and adding Hargraves will change that on the interior and help out, that's the main hope I believe.

Van Ness needs to have that break out year.


The rest of the DEs were below average last year...

Sorrell had some amazing flashes, BUT he had even more bad plays...

Cox did well in run defense against the Bears, but against all other teams his run defense was horrible.


They (and the other backups) have potential, but I'm guessing they'll still be growing and not ready to fill the role of starters yet.


I think the Packers best hope is DDS, but he's a rookie... but I think he's better than his draft slot and potentially mainly dropped because of his personality rubbed some people the wrong way.


Which supposedly he marches to the beat of his own drum which raises the likelihood of it fitting in a group situation. And supposedly he wants to do things his ways, which some coaches found frustrating.

That being said, usually the issues with guys is that they're not willing to do the physical dirty work, they're not willing to do extra and they're not giving their all...

Which CLEARLY none of that applies to DDS, as he played in the 4 tech role (physical head to head against the OT, lots of power battles in that role) and the film shows DDS was CLEARLY more than willing to do the dirty work and some even suggesting that's his strength. In the current college football, if you're in the draft and not in the playoffs, players are sort of expected to opt out and not play, but DDS opted in and played his bowl game even with nothing to play for. And DDS is a very high effort player.


So I think the locker rooms won't have any issues accepting him (assuming he's not a "class A" jerk).... also DDS and Parson supposedly already have a good relationship as Parson went back to Penn State at times and kept in touch with the pass rushers, etc.