ESPN poll snubs Packers' two-time Pro Bowler Kenny Clark
Green Bay Packers Pro Bowler Kenny Clark is easily one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL, but according to a recent ESPN poll, he's not in the top-10 at this position. Which is pretty interesting to think about, honestly. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler released his top-10 rankings on Sunday and the list is comprised […]
Green Bay Packers Pro Bowler Kenny Clark is easily one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL, but according to a recent ESPN poll, he's not in the top-10 at this position.
Which is pretty interesting to think about, honestly.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler released his top-10 rankings on Sunday and the list is comprised via the votes of NFL executives, coaches, players, and scouts. According to Fowler, more than 80 people participated.
Clark came in as an honorable mention and it's a pretty big surprise considering how much he impacts opposing offensive lines and offenses as a whole.
"Complete player with a relentless motor, doesn't take plays off, very underrated in my opinion," a high-ranking NFL official said. "Plays the run and pass equally well."
Per Pro Football Focus, Clark tied for the 11th-most pressures among all interior defensive linemen last year and his pressure rate of 9.8% was higher than that of DaRon Payne and Jonathan Allen – two players that made the top-10. Clark was even better when facing a true pass set: He finished the year with 32 pressures against 199 pass rush snaps, which came out to a 16.0% pressure rate.
That, again, is better than Payne and Allen. But this time, it's also better than Jeffery Simmons, Cameron Heyward, and DeForest Buckner – three other players that made the final cut.
A big reason why Clark is overlooked is because of his versatility. He plays just about every single position on the defensive line and he's asked to a lot of different things. For instance, only three players that made the list -Payne, Buckner, and Dexter Lawrence- recorded more run defense snaps than Clark.
Clark has also had to shoulder the load for the majority of his career. The Packers have yet to find someone that can line up and take attention away from him. They're trying to do that with last year's 28th overall pick in Devonte Wyatt, but it's currently unclear when he'll develop into the guy the franchise envisioned when it drafted him.
The Packers drafted two promising rookies in Colby Wooden and Karl Brooks, so the hope is they can help take some of the load off of Clark. Overall, the Packers defensive line is young, but if the rookies can hit the ground running and Wyatt improves, then there's a good chance the NFL will finally get to see Clark at the peak of his powers.
All of the above can impact Clark's numbers, and ultimately, it has. But, it's easy to see he's a top-10 DL when you turn on the tape. That in itself, along with the influx of youthful talent, should changes things when Fowler puts out his 2024 rendition of this list. But as with all things, only time will tell.
You can check out Fowler's full column, here.
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Featured image via Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
