Good fit for the new defense, Karl Brooks is on a path to be even more impactful for the Packers
When the Green Bay Packers used a sixth-round pick to select Karl Brooks, he was an oversized edge defender who the team would try to move inside the defensive line. A developmental time was to be expected. But he came in right away and had a solid impact as a rotational piece, outsnapping fourth-round pick […]
When the Green Bay Packers used a sixth-round pick to select Karl Brooks, he was an oversized edge defender who the team would try to move inside the defensive line. A developmental time was to be expected. But he came in right away and had a solid impact as a rotational piece, outsnapping fourth-round pick Colby Wooden, and arguably outplaying former first-round pick Devonte Wyatt from the get go.
As a rookie, Brooks generated 25 total pressures, including four sacks and four hits. His potential to be even more impactful in 2024 is not just an empty projection. He made, for example, the PFF All-Breakout Team.
"If there is a question about Brooks' play heading into his second NFL season, it’s whether he can be a full-time player or if he is simply more of a pass-rushing specialist. However, with how good he was in that role as a rookie, that may not matter. He had seven games in 2023 with a PFF pass-rushing grade above 70.0."
For Brooks, the ability to generate pressures is the most impactful role he can have. With an analytically-inclined perspective, he understands pressures are more sustainable.
"To me, pressures are more important. I'm a guy who would prefer having five pressures than one sack in a game," Brooks told the Cheeseheads BR Podcast. "I'd take pressures because it means I'm getting to the quarterback's face, I'm being disruptive, and I can force him to make a bad throw, and we have amazing corners on the back end that can capitalize on that."
Now, that definition of a full-time player versus a pass rush specialist will depend on how Brooks is able to develop as a run defender. As a rookie, he had a 68.2 pass rush grade, a 44.5 run defense grade, and a 49.8 tackle grade according to PFF.
Role
The Packers are changing their defense to a 4-3 base. While it doesn't make as much difference as it would have done 15 years ago, there are structural changes for the defensive front. For example, the Packers will rarely align with three interior defensive linemen. That might limit Brooks' opportunities for snaps.
Kenny Clark is the star of the group, and the second starting spot was split last year between Wyatt for passing downs and TJ Slaton for running downs. In a new scheme, Karl Brooks' job will be to show that he can be a complete player. But if you look at how new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley talks about his schematic approach, you see how well Brooks will fit into it.
"That group is humming," Hafley said about the defensive line. "They're getting off the ball fast and being aggressive. That group can't be passive. That group has to attack. That's not gonna be passive read-and-react."
That's the definition of what Karl Brooks can be as a player.
It’s still too early to know exactly what Jeff Hafley will run with the Packers’ defense
Scheme might demand adjustments for the NFL level
