Packers Urged to Target Pass-Rush Technician At NFL Draft

The Green Bay Packers’ pass rush was arguably their most disappointing unit last season. Whether coming from the interior or the edge, they consistently struggled to generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

Rashan Gary led all Packers defenders with 47 pressures but ranked just 31st among edge rushers. Keisean Nixon finished with the sack total as Lukas Van Ness, while Kenny Clark recorded only one sack all year. As a team, Green Bay ended the 2024 season ranked 26th in pass rush win rate.

The Packers didn’t make any significant free-agency moves to upgrade their defensive line, so it’s reasonable to expect they’ll address it in the draft. They need reinforcements both on the interior and at the edge—and a Day 2 prospect could enhance competition and give the edge group a much-needed boost.

Bradyn Swinson is one of the most underrated prospects in this year’s draft. Bleacher Report projects him as a fourth-round pick, but it wouldn’t be surprising if some teams have him ranked much higher on their boards. 

Swinson brings a strong arsenal of moves to disengage blockers and pairs it with impressive footwork off the line of scrimmage. He does a solid job converting speed to power on his bull rushes, adding variety to his pass-rush approach. There isn’t much tape of Lukas Van Ness showing a full bag of moves, and Rashan Gary can’t do everything on his own. The Packers need a technician like Swinson to add an element of unpredictability off the edge.

The Packers have drafted six defensive ends or outside linebackers in the first round this century, and all weighed at least 255 pounds. ESPN lists Bradyn Swinson at 250, which technically makes him undersized compared to what Green Bay typically prefers at the edge.

However, the Packers finished 2024 as a top-10 unit in EPA per rush and allowed just four yards per carry. They don’t need extra bodies to stop the run—they need more players who pressure the quarterback. The 2025 draft presents a unique opportunity for Green Bay to break the mold and invest in a lighter, more explosive edge rusher who can come in and serve as a pass-rush specialist.

Swinson is only 22 years old and is coming off a career-high in both pressures and sacks at LSU. Green Bay should be targeting edge rushers in the draft, and if the value presents itself, they could take a chance on a high-upside player like him.