One of the biggest question marks for the Green Bay Packers heading into 2023 is the defensive line. Two-time Pro Bowl selection Kenny Clark has long been the lone quality player on the line, allowing opposing offensive lines to double team him into oblivion.
Last season, defensive coordinator Joe Barry’s not-so-brilliant plan was to put Jarran Reed and Dean Lowry on the line to compliment Clark. That did not work out so well, and the Packers had one of the worst run defenses in the NFL.
Now, both Reed and Lowry are gone. The Packers have 2022 first round pick Devonte Wyatt, who played well in limited action last year, but depth is still a big question mark at the position. For this reason, Bleacher Report‘s Alex Ballentine suggests that they pursue Milwaukee, Wisconsin native Shelby Harris in free agency.
Should the Green Bay Packers Sign Shelby Harris?
Of the possibility of the Packers signing Harris, Ballentine wrote:
“There are still more than 1,000 snaps that were vacated by Lowry and Reed with no external options being brought in.
“That’s where a veteran like Shelby Harris would make sense. He has been a consistent starter for the last four years of his career. Not only can he defend the run, but he also offers a little pass rush too. He has 24.5 sacks in eight years of playing.
“Most recently, the 31-year-old played for the Seahawks as part of the deal that sent Russell Wilson to Denver. His pass-rush production took a step back, but he was able to handle 562 snaps.
“Even if Harris took just 250-300 this season, he would be able to play an important role.”
Ballentine is right to point out the need to replace the snaps taken by Reed and Lowry last season. Wyatt will get a lot more playing time, but there are still many question marks at that position. Karl Brooks has been named by an insider as a sleeper to be an immediate big-play maker, but has to prove it first.
What Ballentine neglects, through no fault of his own, is that the Packers absolutely need Harris (a product of Homestead High School in Mequon, by the way) because of his run defense.
According to PFF, Harris had an overall defensive grade of 74.8 and a run defense grade of 78.5. That run defense grade is by far and away better than any interior lineman from the Packers last season. The next closest grade belonged to Wyatt, who had a 60.9.
The run defense has to get better, and while the team may have all the tools to do it, one has to wonder if they have the right scheme. Adding a veteran like Harris may not improve the scheme, but it sure would make the run defense a little bit better at the very least.
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!
