NFL Draft Preview: Packers seeking depth at defensive line

Our seventh and penultimate look at the 2020 NFL Draft as it relates to the Green Bay Packers focuses in on the interior defensive line prospects for this year's event. Edge rushers were covered in the linebackers preview.

Historically, the results on defensive linemen are mixed for the Packers, particularly high draft picks. While first-rounders like Kenny Clark and B.J. Raji in the past two decades have worked out, there are plenty of cautionary tales, such as Jerel Worthy, Datone Jones, and Justin Harrell, to consider.

Clark is still on the roster, but is one of several Packers on expiring deals. Only 2019 fifth-round pick Kingsley Keke, recently-extended Dean Lowry, and reserve Greg Roberts are under contract on the defensive line beyond this upcoming season. Like offensive line, the Packers are set to begin a wholesale makeover process on the defensive line should they choose to, although retaining Clark is probably one of the team's largest priorities in the 2020-2021 offseason.

Here's the Packers' Draft order as of today:

Perhaps the good news about this year's class is that the depth lies further down the board, where the Packers have more flexibility (and more selections). There's only really two prospects that won't be on the board when Green Bay is on the clock at #30 overall: Derrick Brown (a top-10 lock) and Javon Kinlaw (mid-first round projection).

When Green Bay is up with their first pick, they'll likely have a shot at one of three Power 5 defensive linemen: Oklahoma's Neville Gallimore, TCU's Ross Blacklock, and Texas A&M's Justin Madubuike. The latter two of that group lined up all over the defensive line as college athletes; Gallimore projects more as an agile force of disruption between the guards than someone who can move around in multiple fronts. Still, all three players possess tremendous athleticism, and all three are day-one NFL starters.

At #62, the next grouping of defensive linemen prospects offer something a little different. Prospects grading out as Day 2 locks include Marlon Davidson of Auburn, who should be an asset in pass rush situations. For teams looking for a more stout run defender, and a prospect that's more upside than plug-and-play, they could consider Davon Hamilton of Ohio State. One of the more interesting second- or third-round prospects will be Raekwon Davis of Alabama, a highly-touted high school player who exploded onto the scene early in college and boasts many of the skills NFL teams covet in versatile defensive linemen. A popular mock pick to the Packers is North Carolina's Jason Strowbridge in the middle rounds, who is seen as high as late second round all the way to middle of Day 3 depending on which team you focus on.

As the NFL Draft turns to Day 3, some of the potential fourth- and fifth-round graded players include Utah's Leki Fotu, who is projected in some mock drafts to be had as high as the turn of the second round into the third. Both NC State's Larrell Murchison and LSU's Rashad Lawrence provide skill sets tailored to certain schemes; the Packers are mostly looking for depth along the lines, and while versatility is a plus, at this stage of the Draft it will be more about specific fits and roles. One high-upside prospect that can move around a bit is Jordan Elliott of Missouri (and formerly Texas).

Where the Packers have plenty of picks is late in the Draft (six of the final 80 selections), but here's where interior defensive linemen become more difficult to project. Draft locks include players like Raequan Williams of Michigan State and McTelvin Agim of Arkansas, who should fill in depth for teams with established starters. Others to watch on Day 3 include Nebraska's Khalil Davis, Baylor's James Lynch, and small-school players with productive college careers like UAB's Garrett Marino.

There are a ton of Big Ten prospects, but nobody with Wisconsin ties to root for in this year's Draft.

It's fairly likely that the Packers scoop up one, if not more, defensive linemen with their 10 Draft picks this year, given that only a couple of current players are signed for next year. The Kenny Clark contract is probably a more pressing decision, but Green Bay needs more playmaking out of their defensive line, even though the team spends most of its time defensively in sub-packages. It's not likely Green Bay finds a game-changer where they would expect to be adding help along the interior defensive line, but there is a need for both depth and development at the position group.

The NFL Draft is April 23-25 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Teams will conduct their Draft selections remotely.

Photo: Getty Images (Raekwon Davis)