Packers Pass Rush Has Improved After the Trade of Preston Smith
By GilMartin
The Green Bay Packers traded defensive end Preston Smith at the NFL trade deadline. The veteran asked to be traded because he felt more comfortable in a 3-4 defensive system, rather than the 4-3 front the Packers were playing under new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. The team took a chance that the remaining players on the roster would step up and supply enough pass rush in Smith’s absence. Thus far, some young and inexperienced players have taken advantage of this opportunity and have stepped up their game.
Kingsley Enagbare has been one player who has improved his play since Smith was traded. The South Carolina alum has three sacks and four quarterback hits in the last three games for the Packers. He also has four tackles for loss.
Enagbare has started five of the last six contests for the Packers. He is still playing roughly 40-45 percent of the defensive snaps, but he’s risen to the occasion in Smith’s absence. His ability to keep contain on running plays and to make tackles against the run has also improved in the second half of this season.
Head coach Matt LaFleur feels Enagbare has stepped up his game since Smith was traded. “I think he's done a really nice job with more opportunity and just doing his one-eleventh and playing to the standard that we have for that group,” LaFleur said.
Brenton Cox, Jr. finally got a chance to play regularly after Smith was dealt to the Steelers. The second-year undrafted free agent didn’t appear in a regular season game before the trade. But once given the chance, Cox has shown he can live up to his potential and played well.
In the last six games, Cox has provided consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks. He has recorded four sacks, six quarterback hits, and five tackles for loss in those games. He has also forced a fumble.
Cox has great physical ability but went undrafted because off the field concerns. Since joining the Packers at the start of last season, he has been able to put those issues behind him and is developing into a quality pass rusher. He appears to have more room to grow.
While he has not started a game, Cox has been a part of the defensive end rotation and has played 34 percent of the team’s defensive snaps over the last six games.
Defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley has been pleased by Cox’s play since he got a chance to get on the field. “What’s really cool [is] to see when guys earn their opportunity and I think he’s a really good example of that. And I am really, really excited for him,” Hafley said last month.
Former first-round pick Lukas Van Ness has also been playing more since Smith’s was traded. While he still hasn’t started an NFL game, Van Ness has played 39 percent of the defensive snaps this season.
Van Ness recorded two of his three sacks this season after the trade. His play against the run has been better than his ability to pressure the quarterback. He’s also recorded four quarterback hits and two tackles for loss in the last six games.
Hafley is hoping for more from Van Ness in the pass rush. “I think he’s had flashes,” Hafley told reporters last month. “Certainly, in the run game, I think he’s playing really well. We’re playing pretty good run defense overall, and he’s a huge part of that. And then there’s moments when he’s had some nice rushes and good plays in the pass game. It’s just going to be about being consistent and keep working at, which he’s done.”
The return of a healthy Devonte Wyatt has also helped the pass rush. Wyatt missed three games earlier in the season and was limited by the injuries when he first returned.
Wyatt recorded a sack in each of the last two games, has a quarterback hit in four of the last five contests, and three tackles for loss.
His ability to get penetration in the middle of the defensive line helps the edge rushers get to the quarterback and puts more pressure on opposing signal callers.
Add Hafley’s ability to disguise which players are rushing the passer on any given play and the speed and pass rush ability of linebacker Edgerrin Cooper and defensive back Keisean Nixon, and you have more reasons for the defense’s ability to put pressure on the quarterback. Cooper has played the last two games after missing three due to injuries.
Since the Preston Smith trade, the Packers pass rush has actually improved. The team will need the pass rush to provide consistent pressure if they hope to make a run in the playoffs this season.
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Comments (53)
jannesbjornson
December 26, 2024 at 07:55 am
Added the element of speed, Hafley needed with Cooper and Cox.
LambeauPlain
December 26, 2024 at 09:18 am
Yep, that's what I was going to comment...the need for speed.
The game of football is one of synergies...and how one or two players create positive ripple effects through all three levels. Cooper and Cox do that. Wyatt is also, now that he seems healthy and is using his quickness to create pressure.
That added pressure on the QB creating sacks and throw aways are great assists for the DBs. Meanwhile the run defense remains stout.
Packers are a dangerous team to draw in the Playoffs.
jannesbjornson
December 26, 2024 at 11:33 am
Hafley is not holding Wyatt back. He can be as disruptive as a Sapp type of guy. The D functions better with the veteran Wilson, teamed with Cooper, the best LB from the class of '24.
murf7777
December 27, 2024 at 08:53 am
At the beginning of the season, I told my buddy Wyatt would be the key for the D this year. Now that he's healthy he is starting to show it. I hope he is the MVP of the playoffs. We need that push up the middle.
mrtundra
December 26, 2024 at 07:56 am
Perfect time to have an improved pass rush, is in time for the vikings game. Let's kick purple butt, taking care to not hurt our butt kicking foot, on the horseshoe the vikings have wedged up their ass. GO PACK, GO!!!
Starrbrite
December 26, 2024 at 10:49 pm
Ha—yes Tundra—I like the way you phrased it.
HawkPacker
December 26, 2024 at 07:56 am
Yes, it does appear the pass rush has improved.
Absent Jaire, the CB's have held up pretty well too.
Cheezehead72
December 26, 2024 at 08:34 am
A good pass rush helps the DBs and good DBs help the pass rush.
murf7777
December 27, 2024 at 08:55 am
Very true, but I think the pass rush helps the DB's a bit more thou.
greengold
December 26, 2024 at 10:15 am
Yeah, Hawk. Love seeing Valentine getting into a comfort zone in this Packers D. I still like looking at Athlon’s 2023 NFL Draft Preview’s Top 100 Prospects list:
18. Tucker Kraft
20. Lukas Van Ness
23. Luke Musgrave
71. Carrington Valentine*
81. Colby Wooden
Valentine was highway robbery at Pick # 232 of Round 7.
jannesbjornson
December 26, 2024 at 11:35 am
He's a guy who plays to the ball. An essential ingredient for a CB. He's a playmaker and needs to start opposite Jaire, if he shows up this season?
Guam
December 26, 2024 at 08:28 am
Gute seems to prefer bigger edge rushers (Gary, LVN) that are stout against the run versus smaller, quicker (Micah Parsons) speed rushers. I think that has limited the Packer pass rush to some extent. Guys like Cox and Mosby and even Enagbare are smaller and quicker than the recent Packer trend in high draft choice edge rushers and that may be part of the reason the pass rush has gotten better.
The Packer pass rush has improved, but they still seem to struggle against the best O-lines (Detroit). If they can get significant pressure on Darnold through a decent Viking O-line, I will be a very happy Packer backer.
Coldworld
December 26, 2024 at 09:36 am
All of that room was drafted before we knew we were moving to a 4:3 base alignment. The smaller types, Cox and Mosby were undrafted and Moseby bounced around between inside and out until the change. It will be interesting to see if Gute broadens the profile this off season.
greengold
December 26, 2024 at 10:38 am
Glad you brought up Aaron Mosby. He was one of 8 FBS Edge Defenders to record a minimum 85.0 pass rush grade along with a plus 70.0 coverage grade. Burst score ranked #5 in his class. Agility score ranked #2 overall.
Aidan Hutchinson was also one of those 8 players from the 2022 NFL Draft.
I think in 2023 preseason game v. BAL he had a sack, a FF and an INT in just 2 series played. That dude brings it. Solid all-around player.
You wanna have some fun? Check out Aaron Mosby’s 2021 Fresno St. highlight reel. He’s ALL football player.
Coldworld
December 26, 2024 at 10:59 am
Very different player to Cox even. By far the best coverage ability on the DL. Less power than Cox and more agile. Cox is ( and this is not a negative) all about getting to the QB.
greengold
December 26, 2024 at 11:03 am
Yeah. Different in the how, but both are all motor. Man, I freaked out when Gutekunst signed him.
Guam
December 26, 2024 at 11:21 am
Point taken about the shift in base alignment, but many 3-4 teams draft speedy edge rushers (TJ Watt and others)) while playing three down tackles. For some reason Thompson/Gutekunst simply didn't draft fast/quick edge guys even though a 3-4 probably encourages that profile. Gary was a tackle in college and LVN alternated between edge and tackle in college. Just not sure why the Packer profile in edges has leaned toward bigger/stronger guys.
Like you, I very much hope Gute broadens his edge profile in the upcoming drafts. The Packers could use a really quick twitch edge rusher.
LambeauPlain
December 26, 2024 at 09:43 am
Hafley had plenty of speed rushers moving from OLB/Edge to the 4-3 DE position. The learning curve defending from standing up to hand in the dirt was evident early in the season....seems to have been climbed now. The last two weeks of defense have been displaying consistent pressure from all 4 in the D trench.
I was expecting Van Ness to explode playing the 4-3/DE. Actually he and Enagbare are about the same size...Hercules is only 1" taller and about 5 lbs heavier. But the 4.6 speed of Van Ness had me excited for him in the 4-3. Yet Enagbare & his 4.9 speed have been more effective due to his pass rush bag of tricks.
Van Ness still relies on his college bag of trick...the bull rush. And NFL O Lineman usually neutralize that fairly quickly. I don't know if it is coaching (Rebrovich) or Luther being a one trick pony. Van Ness has been a disappointment, showing some...but not much growth. He should be a terror with his athletic profile.
jannesbjornson
December 26, 2024 at 11:37 am
If he stays at level one, trade him.
LLCHESTY
December 26, 2024 at 11:49 pm
Van Ness has been much better since Preston was traded. He still needs to work on his pass rush moves in the off-season and his run D was better last year than this year but I think you'll start seeing him turn more pressures into sacks soon. Per Zach Kruse:
"Since the Packers traded Preston Smith, Lukas Van Ness has an 18% pass-rush win rate overall, 28.6% pass-rush win rate in "true pass sets" and a 89.1 PFF pass-rush grade."
murf7777
December 27, 2024 at 09:00 am
I wonder how much a 40-yard dash matters on the DL. I'd think the 10yd dash is far more important. Rating explosiveness vs longer speed.
murf7777
December 27, 2024 at 08:56 am
Hasn't most every DL struggled against the Lions?
Cheezehead72
December 26, 2024 at 08:33 am
Before the season I mentioned that I was wanting to see how Kingsley Enagbare was going to do this year. He has impressed me. I saw something good in him last year. I hope he keeps up the good play.
NickPerry
December 26, 2024 at 09:05 am
The pass rush has gotten better the last few weeks. The O-Lines they've faced haven't exactly been the greatest, BUT they've did what they are supposed to do against O-Lines that are suspect.
Cooper is just scratching the surface of how dominate and great he can be. I honestly believe that. I was so happy when he was sitting there and Gutey took him. The entire defense changes when he's on the field. He's excellent rushing the passer and he gets better each game defending the pass and run. He's so quick and strong I think Hafley is just learning how to use him.
Cox is another one I was happy they took a chance on. I couldn't understand why he wasn't playing before Smith was traded. I was a huge Preston Smith fan and wish him well but if trading him was what it took to give Cox a chance and Enagbare more snaps I'm on board.
This weekend is HUGE. Personally I've always hated the Vikings just a little bit more than the Bears. Growing up in the 70's in Minneapolis did that to me. Those were some good Viking teams and pretty crappy Packers teams back then and all my friends let me know.
Hmmm...I wonder what they think now, especially since 1992 to know...GO PACK GO!
barutanseijin
December 26, 2024 at 09:42 am
That must have been torture living in Minnesota— until those Super Bowls vs the Raiders. Dolphins & Steelers. (The 1970 Super Bowl losers were a bit different team than the Purple People Eatin’ chokers later in the decade.) They were never really in any of those Super Bowls. Loved that Tarkenton started the scoring vs the Steelers by getting tackled in his own end zone.
LambeauPlain
December 26, 2024 at 09:56 am
"Personally I've always hated the Vikings just a little bit more than the Bears."
Not me. My disdain for them, growing up in Western WI, is immense. The dislike was forged in the 70's when the Packers were struggling and the Ugly Purple getting to SB's (and LOSING!). A few of my High School buddies flipped to the Viqueens while I remained Green and Gold loyal.
Two teams need to win every week...the Pack and whoever is playing the Ugly Purple. Twice a season it is the same team...and there it is this Sunday!
jannesbjornson
December 26, 2024 at 11:47 am
I moved across the St Croix to keep the used car dealer, purple-fan smell away from me. Even with a great season from Darnold, their fans remain pessimistic.
Starrbrite
December 26, 2024 at 10:57 pm
I most definitely dislike the Vikes more than the Bears. My brother is a Vikings nut and so is my closest friend. But I believe the Vikings fans are mostly chumps and so is their pathetic organization.
Spock
December 26, 2024 at 09:52 am
I know we traded Preston because he asked to be let go. Does anyone know what we got in return?
LambeauPlain
December 26, 2024 at 10:02 am
7th rounder. He was not going to be re-signed unless he took a huge pay cut, which was unlikely because Preston remains a solid player.
It was a class act by both parties. Preston asking to be traded to a 3-4 team...and out of respect, Gutey obliging him and at least getting a 7th.
Spock
December 26, 2024 at 10:45 am
Thanks for the info LP. I knew it wasn't much, but we let a vet player have his wish and still got something in return.
Coldworld
December 26, 2024 at 11:05 am
Smith’s snaps had been decreasing significantly before that. I don’t know which was the Chicken or the egg: Hafley’s view of his fit and desire to change things or Smiths realization that he needed to return to a 3:4 style role.
It could just be that they quietly came to a mutually beneficial conclusion. Smith gets to play in a familiar role and on his incentive laden contract, to get a chance to earn more and we got more freedom to change things up. Either way, a 7th is better than a nothing for us and Smith is better off too, which he deserves for his professionalism and contractual flexibility while here.
Guam
December 26, 2024 at 11:30 am
Another factor was Smith's contract. He is due $12 million cash in 2025 and $12.6 million cash in 2026. His contract numbers with the Packers would have been slightly higher due to amortization of the signing bonus which will get written off this year against the cap. All told, the Packers did pick up significant cap room in 2025 and 2025 to sign some of their good young players.
greengold
December 26, 2024 at 11:36 am
Cap savings is a huge part of this equation trading him to PIT, Guam. No doubt!
Bitternotsour
December 26, 2024 at 10:04 am
same thing happened with the defense last year when Rasul Douglass was traded. Addition by subtraction.
greengold
December 26, 2024 at 10:05 am
Great, prescient piece, Gil.
I was so happy to see Gutekunst move Preston via trade, as he was dogging it. Plus, I’ve been a big believer in Kingsley Enagbare & Brenton Cox, Jr. I also believe in LVN, but knew he too would require more time/experience to become what we hoped upon drafting him R1. Not unlike Wyatt, who has done nicely in turning things around post injury. Brooks & Wooden appear on schedule.
Gary, Clark & Slaton will also be a big part of Green Bay’s defense in realizing the dream of bringing home another Lombardi.
Bitternotsour
December 26, 2024 at 10:15 am
dogging it?
greengold
December 26, 2024 at 11:23 am
Yes. Preston Smith went from 8 sacks and 21 QB Hits, 27 Hurries, 2 FF, 4 PD, 28 Solo tackles and 4 TFL in 2023 to 2.5 sacks and 4 QB Hits, 6 Hurries, 0 FF, 0 PD, 6 Solo tackles and 2 TFL in 9 games with GB in 2024.
He registered a 57.0 Defensive Grade v. MIN, a 44.2 v. ARI, and a 37.5 v. HOU. Smith had Pass Rush Grades in the 40s-50s in 6 of his 9 games with the Packers this season.
His current Pass Rush Grade stands currently at 57.3 on the year, the 2nd lowest mark of his career.
The numbers don’t lie.
Leatherhead
December 26, 2024 at 11:44 am
It's never about who you lost; it's always about who took his place.
If Enagbare had gone out and played poorly, this whole conversation is different. Just like if Valentine had played poorly last year, the whole Rasul Douglas trade would look a little different.
When you look at the backups, we have some guys who can play if they're given the chance. Smith was getting close to the end, and Enagbare might have several good years ahead of him. And he might well be better suited to the 4-3 than Smith was.
GregC
December 26, 2024 at 05:19 pm
When a player's performance declines it does not necessarily mean the player is dogging it. Preston Smith is getting old, and he was playing in a system that was not the best fit for his strengths. Those are two likely reasons for the decline in his performance. Also, he was not the only edge rusher who had difficulty adjusting to Hafley's scheme. The productivity of the entire group appeared to be down early in the season, compared to last year.
LambeauPlain
December 26, 2024 at 10:17 am
It was exciting to see the Defense defending the run better to start the season...and now getting consistent pressure during pass attempts.
Gary and Clark have definitely upped their game. Yet Slaton seems stuck in the transition to a 4-3. So far he has just 18 total tackles and 11 of those are assists. He has only one sack. I think his days in Green Bay are coming to an end. DT likely to be addressed early in the draft...along with CB, I think.
jannesbjornson
December 26, 2024 at 11:49 am
He's a backup for a reason.
dobber
December 26, 2024 at 12:04 pm
" Yet Slaton seems stuck in the transition to a 4-3. "
He's not a pass-rusher, and the Packers have played a lot of games from ahead...which pushes him off the field and limits his snaps.
He seemed to be someone unlikely to be resigned, yes, and I wondered if Jonathan Ford was being groomed to fill his role as a run-down DT until Ford was signed away off the PS. Either way, it looked like they were going to be looking for a DT in this draft.
Leatherhead
December 27, 2024 at 09:35 am
Slaton is there to plug the run. I'd definitely bring him back as part of the DT rotation.
ricky
December 26, 2024 at 10:15 am
As always, it's not where you're selected, it's whether you are a football player. Also, different players develop at different speeds. Sometimes it takes two or three seasons for a player to establish themselves. Best to be patient, until the player shows they simply can't handle the job. Finally, speed kills. And reading and reacting to a play with precision and decision, and making tackles for losses and not a few yards down the field are also important.
Houndog
December 26, 2024 at 10:48 am
Ricky, you're dead-on!
"it's not where you're selected, it's whether you are a football player"!
There was some guy named Wolf that used to say the same thing, I think his first name was Ron.
You're both right!
splitpea1
December 26, 2024 at 10:54 am
It's encouraging, but I still think it's a little early to draw any definitive conclusions until we play the better teams coming up this week and in the playoffs. Hopefully we can avoid taking another pass rusher early in the draft and instead focus on the areas of immediate need such as NT and CB. It's questionable whether Slaton will be back, Ford is gone, and with or without Jaire we still need premier CB help.
dobber
December 26, 2024 at 12:06 pm
They'll need to consider an OL on days 1/2 also.
Leatherhead
December 26, 2024 at 01:32 pm
Agreed. If we bring back Slaton, Wyatt, and Clark, I'm not seeing an early pick on the DL. Or LB. Or Safety. The Packers like to use that first round pick on defense and I'd think that CB is going to be at the head of the line.
Then, a Center on Day 2. Maybe another CB. My tally of CBs is that we'll have Alexander, Nixon, Valentine and King under contract. Personally, I'd look to trade the chronically unavailable Alexander and then draft another CB. You can never have too many guys who can cover and tackle.
Ezera'shotdogvendor
December 26, 2024 at 06:30 pm
I agree with you about cb need, but that position is very hit or miss in draft. I think CB should be signed in FA like X was.
LLCHESTY
December 26, 2024 at 11:57 pm
It's a very weak FA class for CBs this year, and that's before any resign with the clubs they're with now.
porupack
December 26, 2024 at 11:04 pm
Good article, Gil. You make your point about improvement. It would have been just a bit more helpful to your case to contrast those stats before and after trade. Nonetheless, it was solid to show recent results as you did. Some posters point out its too early to know, and we'll know more after this weekend. They're right, but your goal was simply to show recent improvement, and that you did. Good journalism identifies trends as early as they emerge. The world sometimes changes before the print dries.
Preston was a classy professional and great addition to the packers. I wish him well.
murf7777
December 27, 2024 at 09:07 am
Have to give Hafley credit for realizing Smith wasn't a big performer in the 4-3 D and started to limit his playing time to the point where Smith wanted to be traded. Certainly, the results were far better showing Hafley knew what he was doing.