The Green Bay Packers defense played exceptionally well in 2024, at least, compared to how it performed under previous defensive coordinator Joe Barry. In Jeff Hafley’s first season as defensive coordinator, the Packers allowed the sixth-fewest total yards per game in the NFL as well as the sixth-fewest points per game. The 99.4 rushing yards they allowed per game last season ranked seventh, and the 215.6 passing yards ranked 13th.
Despite the defense’s improvement, there is still room for growth, particularly on the interior defensive line. While edge rusher and cornerback are clear needs as well, the Packers need more production from players like Kenny Clark and TJ Slaton who, while effective against the run, did not generate very much pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
NFL Analyst Believes the Green Bay Packers Should Target Osa Odighizuwa
While the Packers have young talent like Slaton and Devonte Wyatt on the interior defensive line, Patrick K. Flowers of Bleacher Nation believes that Green Bay should also look to the free agent market to improve the production. He lists Dallas Cowboys soon-to-be-free agent Osa Odighizuwa as a possible target:
“Green Bay also needs an interior defensive lineman, and Dallas’ Osa Odighizuwa would be the three-technique in Green Bay’s defense that could be the answer there. Adding Odighizuwa (or a similar player like Philadelphia’s Milton Williams) would allow Green Bay to play Kenny Clark to play nose tackle full-time. Whether they spend at the top of the market on the inside or the outside of their defensive line, I expect Green Bay to make an addition to that group.”
Odighizuwa, a former fourth round pick by the Cowboys in 2021, had 4.5 sacks last season and a 78.5 pass rush grade from PFF (11th best among interior defensive linemen). However, he did not play we well against run, earning a run defense grade of just 50.8 (which ranked 116th out of 219 interior defenders).
As one can see, Odighizuwa would be an upgrade on passing plays because of his ability to pressure the quarterback.
This all being said, Spotrac has his market value set at three years and just under $63 million. His projected annual salary of $21 million would make him the third-highest paid defensive tackle in the NFL, just behind Clark.
Will the Packers really want to invest over $40 million of the salary cap to two players at the same position? That does not seem likely.
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