Threat assessment: Broncos will have to have a plan for Packers DL Kenny Clark
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When playing the Green Bay Packers, the first thing that always deserves attention is the quarterback position. From Brett Favre to Aaron Rodgers, Packers fans have been blessed beyond compare in a league scattered with franchises starved for just good quarterback play.
Now imagine back-to-back Hall-of-Famers. It really is quite unfair to be honest. Aaron Rodgers may be on the back nine of his career, but he is still elite.
Paired with an improved offensive line sporting one of the best tackle duos in the country in David Bakhtiari and Brian Bulaga, and some fun weapons in Davante Adams, Aaron Jones, and Jimmy Graham in a new and an improving scheme under head coach Matt LaFluer, the best is yet to come for the Packers' offense in 2019.
While the star-power is there on offense, the Packers are only putting up 15.5 points per game (ranking 26h in the NFL), 274 yards per game (28th), 178.5 passing yards per game (26th), and 95.5 rushing yards per game (19th).
It's really the Packers' defense that has propelled the team to a quick 2-0 start. Yes, the Packers have played two teams with anemic offenses and superb defenses in the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings, respectively, the early returns for the Packers' defense have been outstanding.
Giving up just 9.5 points per game (2nd in NFL), 337.5 yards per game (13th), 215.5 passing yards per game (11th), and 122 rushing yards per game (19th), the Packers are giving up some yards but stopping teams from reaching pay-dirt. Something that unfortunately matches the Broncos who have been moving the ball well, but just are unable to cross the goal line.
The Packers also already sport a +3 turnover margin after two games. There is no stat as crucial to wins and losses than the turnover margin (well, besides points, duh), and the Packers are protecting the ball and taking it away.
The Packers, a team that historically has shied away from spending in free agency, did just that this past offseason, as they netted two dynamic edge rushers in both Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith, both making a big impact this season as both are equally impactful in the run and pass game.
The Packers' secondary is also full of emerging youth in Kevin King, Jaire Alexander, and Darnell Savage. However, the player that deserves the most concern for the Broncos entering their Week 3 matchup is 23-year-old nose tackle Kenny Clark.
The man in the middle
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Coming out of the UCLA in 2016, Clark was a young upside defensive lineman in a class with a multitude of good players at his position. At 6-foot, 315 pounds, he could play a multitude of spots along the defensive front, but has found a home for the Packers at nose tackle.
Selected by Green Bay with the 27th overall selection, Clark really has started to come on strong over, notching 10.5 sacks, 110 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles, and 15 quarterback hurries over the last two seasons. These may not seem like gaudy stats, but for a nose tackle in a three-down linemen front, that is very impactful considering the attention and bodies he must go against on top of his run-stopping assignments.
Combining quickness, powerful hands, and a variety of pass rush moves, Clark is able to win on the interior and both create run stuffs, tackles for loss, pressures, and open up things for both the edge rushers and linebackers for the Packers. He makes everyone’s job easier.
The stat sheet won’t always show his impact, but it appears Pro Football Focus has caught on to how great Clark has been for the Packers. With an ‘elite’ grade of 90.5 last season, and a 90.2 run defense grade and an 88.8 pass rush grade, Clark is impacting the game. Did I mention he’s only 23 years old?
Clark is also already off to a hot start this season as well. Going up against highly-touted first-round pick Garett Bradbury of the Vikings last week, Clark put up seven pressures, a strip-sack, multiple run stuffs, and drew multiple holding penalties. Through the first two weeks, Clark is graded as Pro Football Focus’ second best interior defensive lineman with a grade of 89.8.
A soon-to-be free agent, the Packers better open up the wallet soon because if Clark hits the open market, he is going to get paid. Again, just 23 years old. The sky's the limit.
A true test for Broncos' interior
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While the Broncos' interior offensive line has been far from the real problem upfront, they are going to have their hands full this week. Rookie Dalton Risner had his first real ‘welcome to the NFL’ moment last week going up against Akiem Hicks and Eddie Goldman who took his lunch money on a few occasions.
Center Connor McGovern, while playing better than many had thought in preseason, has to keep up his good performances and do a better job stopping leakages up the middle in stunts/twists as well as delayed pressure. Clark’s ability might occupy McGovern too much to improve that much there. Right guard Ron Leary has been up and down and is an absolute load at the point of attack, but his lateral agility as well as how much rust he still has will be tested no doubt.
The Broncos have struggled to generate explosive run plays through two weeks, granted against two good defenses. Most seasons, the Packers would be a team that the offense might get a ‘breather’ being how Green Bay had poor defenses complimented with great offenses. No longer.
The Takeaway
This Packers defense is legit and while the signings of the Smiths (as well as former Bear Adrian Amos) helped this quick turnaround, Kenny Clark has been a constant and is just getting better. If the Broncos' interior can hang this week and handle Clark, they should be able to handle almost any interior defensive line they come across this season.
Follow Nick on Twitter @NickKendellMHH and @MileHighHuddle.