It's almost training camp time for the Green Bay Packers, so it's time to evaluate each position group on the roster.

Defensive line

If you had made this exercise a year ago, there would separate pieces for the interior of the defensive line and the edge defenders. It was still possible to split this into defensive tackles and (as they are now listed) defensive ends, but the Packers themselves want to build a more cohesive and integrated unit.

The first step in that direction was to allow former defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery, who had been in the coaching staff since 2015, to pursue an opportunity elsewhere — he ended up with the New England Patriots. Then, new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley promoted Jason Rebrovich from pass rush specialist to defensive line coach, responsible for both the interior and the edge players.

"When we do drills, I'm like, 'Damn.' We've got like a big group of defensive linemen now," defensive tackle Kenny Clark said. "It's going to be a lot different, but with this system, you've got to play like that."

The Packers are, in fact, with a lot of players there: 17, between tackles and ends.

"This is giving us a chance to shut all that other stuff off. Just use your ability and just go up the field and be disruptive," Clark mentioned. "I just think with my get-off and how I am, I think it's going to suit me well."

Interior

Clark is the star of the interior, being able to do basically everything. Early indications in OTAs and minicamp show he will play more as a 3-tech, leaving the nose tackle position to TJ Slaton. When it's a passing down, former first-round pick Devonte Wyatt gets in.

The main rotational piece is Karl Brooks, a sixth-round pick last year who shined in limited snaps as a rookie. Meanwhile, Colby Wooden brings a versatility element, being able to play end in a 4-3 scheme as well.

The rest of the group has a challenge to fight for at least a practice squad spot. Jonathan Ford has been on and off the roster since 2022. The other options are Spencer Waege, claimed off waivers for the San Francisco 49ers (a clear indication of the type of defense the Packers want to run) and undrafted free agent James Ester.

Edges

The edge group is a repetition of what the Packers had last year — the unit of the entire roster where continuity is the most significant. Rashan Gary and Preston Smith are the projected starters, and they are ready to attack with the new system.

In 2022, Kingsley Enagbare outsnapped first-round rookie Lukas Van Ness, and the fight for snaps this year will be more interesting — Van Ness is a better fit for this system than he was for Joe Barry's.

Enagbare's health was a big topic of conversation before the draft, but he didn't suffer a total tear in his ACL, which allowed him to fully participate in OTAs. That softened a need for depth, and the Packers didn't make significant moves.

The rest of the edges will fight for a fifth roster spot (last year, Brenton Cox made the team as an undrafted free agent) or to make the practice squad. Beyond Cox, the bottom of the roster has Keshawn Banks, Arron Mosby, and Deslin Alexandre.

Nigerian Kenneth Odumegwu doesn't count towards the 90-man roster limit as a member of the International Pathway Program, and he won't count towards the 16-man practice squad either if he doesn't make the team.

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