The Green Bay Packers selected Georgia defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt with the 28th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. This was the Packers’ 2nd pick in the first round, and second Georgia Bulldog selected so far in the 2022 draft. With all of the top-end receiver prospects already off of the board, the Packers chose to add more help on the defensive side of the ball. Though it may not be the exciting wide receiver choice that most fans were looking for, there is a method to the madness when analyzing the Devonte Wyatt selection.
With the 28th pick in the 2022 #NFLDraft, the #Packers select Georgia DL Devonte Wyatt!
#PackersDraft | @SchneiderCareer pic.twitter.com/effdv2T5Ea— Green Bay Packers (@packers) April 29, 2022
A Joe Barry Guy
There are Packers fans screaming online that this Packers defense was “good enough already”, and they’re not wrong. However, they aren’t exactly right either. Joe Barry is in Green Bay because of his success with the Rams’ defenses. Barry’s extensive knowledge under the tutelage of Brandon Staley and the legendary Wade Phillips is what led to his success. One thing that all of these men understand is that you absolutely MUST have a stout defensive line if you expect to win football games. Look back at their defenses throughout the years, specifically the Rams’ 2020 season. I understand that Aaron Donalds don’t grow on trees, but the Packers have the next best thing in Kenny Clark, and Clark needs help. Clark won’t get much better help than that of Devonte Wyatt.
What Wyatt Brings To The Table
Devonte Wyatt is an absolutely freakish athlete, and a lethal interior defender who has rare pass rush ability. You can check out his measurables here, but in summary, they lead up to an elite 9.56 RAS score. Wyatt is admittedly a better pass rusher than run defender, but run defense is arguably easier to coach up than pass rush. Even if Devonte doesn’t immediately become a great run defender, either Kenny Clark or Jarran Reed (or both) will be alongside him. If you leave any of these players in a one-on-one scenario, they are getting through the offensive line and disrupting the play.
Why You Should Be Happy
Devonte Wyatt is a good pick. This is going to be a very stout defensive line. The Green Bay Packers haven’t been able to brag about their defensive line in quite some time. There are still great receivers available in this draft, and even if the Packers don’t draft any of them, the Packers still have both a great defense and run game. Rodgers is a good enough player to be able to make do with what he has. Welcome to the Green Bay Packers Devonte Wyatt! Come show everyone how defenses win championships.
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