The Green Bay Packers will have to address important questions on the interior of the defensive line next year. Kenny Clark turns 30 in October, recorded just one sack last season, and carries a $31 million cap hit in 2025. Meanwhile, Devonte Wyatt, who has missed 10 games over his first three seasons, will enter a contract year and has totaled 10 sacks during that span.
Karl Brooks and Colby Wooden have served as rotational pieces, but neither has developed into a starting-caliber player. Therefore, with a real possibility that neither of Green Bay’s current interior starters will be on the roster next year, the team needs to take action to strengthen the defensive line.
The 2025 NFL Draft class offers good value along the interior defensive line. With plenty of talent available in the middle rounds, the Packers do not need to reach for a defensive lineman in the first round. There is a Day 2 prospect who would be an ideal fit for Green Bay and should be available when they pick in Round 2.
South Carolina’s T.J. Sanders recorded 4.5 sacks and 33 pressures in 2024, posting the 9th-best PFF pass-rush grade among defensive tackles. A player drawing interest from many NFL teams, Sanders was reportedly brought in for a pre-draft visit by the Packers earlier this month.
Sanders recorded a 9.38 Relative Athletic Score at the combine, highlighted by a great composite explosion grade. He possesses good size and excellent burst off the line of scrimmage. Last season, he posted a 21.2% pass-rush win rate and an 11.2% run-stop win rate. Over the past two seasons at South Carolina, he totaled 60 pressures, 10 sacks, and 54 stops.
T.J. Sanders does a great job of working through offensive linemen with his hands and shows excellent timing against the run. He would be a home-run pick for Brian Gutekunst in the second round and could immediately challenge Devonte Wyatt for a starting spot.
