Potential First-Round Edge-Setter Will Visit Packers

Western Michigan star Marshawn Kneeland is one of the more physical edge defenders in the 2024 NFL Draft class. It is a short- and long-term need for the Packers.

Marshawn Kneeland / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

 

GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers have short- and long-term needs at defensive end. Some of the edge-rusher prospects fit better than others.

One of the best fits in the 2024 NFL Draft class is Western Michigan’s Marshawn Kneeland, a potential first-round pick who is scheduled to have a predraft visit with the team.

Who Is Marshawn Kneeland?

Kneeland was a two-star recruit who slowly earned a role. After redshirting in 2019, he started three games during the COVID-impacted 2020 season, four games in 2021, seven of nine appearances in 2022 and, after briefly joining Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes via the transfer portal, nine of 10 games in 2023.

The production has never been great. He had 4.5 sacks and eight tackles for losses in 2021, 1.5 sacks and 10 tackles for losses in 2022 and 4.5 sacks, 7.5 tackles for losses and career highs of 57 tackles and two forced fumbles in 2023, when he was second-team all-MAC.

However, Kneeland is a dirty-work player. With length, power and effort, he is one of the top edge-setters in the draft class.

“I would definitely say that I play with a high motor,” he told The Draft Network before the Senior Bowl. “I’m always trying to find my way to the ball. I’m very heavy-handed. I love hitting other players (laughs). I’m explosive with a good get-off.”

Not that he can’t rush the passer. Of the 120 FBS edge defenders in this draft class with at least 200 pass-rushing opportunities, Kneeland ranked 19th in PFF’s pass-rush win rate.

To be sure, Kneeland beat up on lesser competition. That’s why the Senior Bowl and Scouting Combine were big deals.

“The Senior Bowl allowed me to show people that I can hang with the best in the country,” he said after pro day. “But at the Combine, people got to see how athletic, how good I am in individual drills and how much bend I have, as well.”

Injuries could be a bit of a concern; he missed time with a calf injury in 2022 and elbow injury in 2023.

How Would Marshawn Kneeland Fit With Packers?

Edge defenders come in all shapes and sizes. With Rashan Gary, Preston Smith and Lukas Van Ness atop the depth chart, the Packers have an obvious “type.” At 6-foot-3 and 267 pounds with 34 1/2-inch arms, Kneeland fits. 

He’s not exceedingly fast – a rather ho-hum 4.75 in the 40 – but he put up big-time numbers in the other tests. Highlighted by a linebacker-like 4.19 in the 20-yard shuttle and a cornerback-like 35 1/2-inch vertical, his Relative Athletic Score was 9.08.

With Kingsley Enagbare sustaining a torn ACL in the playoff win at Dallas, the Packers will start the season short-handed on the edge. Smith, meanwhile, is the oldest player on the roster and it’d be smart to plan ahead.

Beyond those short- and long-term needs, there is this need: Under coach Matt LaFleur, the Packers are last in the NFL in yards allowed per carry. Kneeland would help solve that longtime weakness.

What Is Marshawn Kneeland’s Round Projection?

Kneeland hasn’t generated a lot of buzz – no doubt his school and stats were the reason – but he is considered a fringe first-round pick. For The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, he’s on the first- and second-round dividing line. For NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah, he’s No. 46 overall.

“Kneeland isn’t a special athlete, but he reminds me of a Baltimore Ravens-type player. He’s tough, physical and plays with max effort,” Jeremiah said at the end of his scouting report.

If he’s on the board at No. 25, the Packers might be tempted. He could also be available in a small trade-back in which the team acquires additional draft capital.

“I made money today, that’s what they (coaches) like to say,” Kneeland said following Western’s pro day. “They all told me I looked really great out there and that I did an excellent job. It was just fun to be able to go out there and see my guys all work. Everything that I was hearing was that it went great.”

Marshawn Kneeland at Pittsburgh / Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

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