The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could possibly be chosen by the Inexperienced Bay Packers within the 2023 NFL draft.
Inexperienced Bay’s run protection yielded 2,372 yards on the bottom, which ranked twenty sixth general. They gave up 5 yards per carry, which was tied for twenty ninth within the league.
The Packers want to enhance in opposition to the run subsequent season and if previous historical past is any indicator, Brian Gutekunst will pour assets into fixing the leaky run protection.
Final season the Packers wanted to vastly enhance on particular groups. Gutekunst attacked the problem with nice vigor. The Packers went out and employed top-of-the-line particular groups coordinators within the league. They signed gamers like Keisean Nixon and Dallin Leavitt. They drafted gamers with loads of particular groups expertise like Tariq Carpenter.
It’s cheap to anticipate that Gutekunst will add a participant or two up entrance to assist shore up the run protection.
A participant that Inexperienced Bay’s normal supervisor might goal within the 2023 NFL Draft is Zacch Pickens. The South Carolina defensive deal with checks in at No. 60 within the Unpacking Future Packers countdown.
MATCHUP: Arkansas’ Ricky Stromberg, 4-year starter & one in every of prime facilities in CFB, can have his fingers full w/ @GamecockFB DL Zacch Pickens (@ZP6DT). Right here’s Week 1 🎥 displaying Pickens overwhelm blocker with size & in-line energy…then the “excuse me” step-over earlier than making deal with. https://t.co/qIhoFBeZhK pic.twitter.com/LscIgvPW4I
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) September 9, 2022
Pickens, a South Carolina native completed his profession with 32 profession begins for the Gamecocks. Throughout his sophomore season in 2020, Pickens recorded 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack. In 2021, Pickens recorded 5 tackles for loss and 4 sacks. This previous season, Pickens recorded 42 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and three go deflections.
“Pickens was the guts of a defensive position that went via a number of modifications and lineups as a result of harm,” David Cloninger, a reporter for The Publish and Courier mentioned. “Because the bedrock in the midst of the defensive position, he had his most efficient and finest season at USC. He was one in every of three gamers I picked as defensive MVPs.”
Pickens is well-built with lengthy arms (34). He has lots of energy in these lengthy limbs and when he performs with correct leverage he can bullrush with the most effective of them. He has good preliminary quickness off the snap to rapidly get upfield.
The South Carolina defensive deal with actually showcased his potential as an inside pass-rusher in the course of the Gamecocks matchup in opposition to Kentucky this previous season. Pickens recorded one sack and 5 pressures in opposition to the Wildcats.
“He can actually get his fingers and arms up rapidly, to both get above the offensive lineman’s fingers or to get his fingers up rapidly in a quarterback’s sight view,” Cloninger mentioned. “He has lots of simply straight uncooked energy.”
Towards the run, Pickens controls his hole. He’s robust on the level of assault and is tough to uproot. Pickens has robust, lively fingers to assist him to poke via gaps. He has the short-area quickness and lateral agility to make performs up and down the road of scrimmage.
The previous five-star recruit completed his profession with simply 11.5 tackles for loss. Whereas not eye-popping, Pickens clogged or blew up working lanes that allowed teammates to make performs behind the road of scrimmage.
“The Gamecocks had been dangerous in opposition to the run final yr and he shares some blame,” Cloninger mentioned. “I can’t say he was the reason for it, as a result of that might be inaccurate. I can’t say the remainder of the road held him again as a result of that might be inaccurate, too. It was group blame. A variety of groups double-teamed him, as he appeared to be the man they needed to care for first, and consequently, Pickens would simply get annoyed and maybe quit too rapidly. I don’t suppose it’s any type of alarm bell, although; extra of a “we’ll get that out of him” as soon as he reaches the NFL.”
Match with the Packers
Get Kenny Clark assist. That’s in all probability what Gutekunst hears when he walks into Woodman’s Meals Market.
Dean Lowry and Jarran Reed are each set to hit the open market this offseason. That leaves Clark, Devonte Wyatt, and TJ Slaton because the notable defensive lineman on the roster.
With these two veterans on their method out, Gutekunst might look so as to add a defensive lineman or two within the upcoming NFL Draft.
Pickens could possibly be a possible day two or early day three goal for the Packers. The South Carolina defensive deal with has the dimensions, energy, and pass-rush upside to become a possible inside power for the Packers.
A specific South Carolina “fan” called-out DT Zacch Pickens on right here final week after @seniorbowl included him in our Matchup of Week and @ZP6DT then clapped him w/ a team-high 12 tackles in opposition to Arkansas. He actually passes the attention check. Physique kind ✅.#TheDraftStartsInMOBILE™️ pic.twitter.com/w7cpFNRpAg
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) September 17, 2022
“He was a lot efficient with what he had, and the potential is limitless,” Cloninger mentioned. “It’s typically mentioned that Pickens hasn’t but reached his full potential, and if he’s doing this now at half or 75 p.c of what he could possibly be, think about what he might do when he doesn’t have to fret about college and such. Simply soccer on a regular basis. He could possibly be a starter in yr one.”
Clark has wanted assist upfront for fairly a while. Wyatt performed restricted snaps throughout his rookie season and has the instruments to develop right into a dominant defensive lineman for the Packers.
Pickens isn’t as twitchy as the previous Georgia Bulldogs. The South Carolina defensive deal with wins together with his energy. Including him to the combo with Clark and Wyatt might give Inexperienced Bay a doubtlessly robust group up entrance for Joe Barry.
