The All-NFC North Preseason Team: Defensive line

Not a lot of love for the Vikings in the latest All-NFC North Preseason team reveal.

NFC North defensive linemen / Image courtesy of USA Today Sports

In our continuing series unveiling the All-NFC North Preseason Team, as voted on by our NFC North colleagues, we're revealing the defensive line today. Specifically, edge rushers and defensive tackles.

Considering the D-line is a perceived weakness in Minnesota, it should come as no surprise that none of the four First Team selections play for the Vikings. First Team selections include tackles DJ Reader of the Lions and Kenny Clark of the Packers, while the D-end picks are Green Bay's Rashan Gary and Detroit's Aidan Hutchinson.

The only interior defensive lineman to receive a vote for Minnesota was Harrison Phillips, who garnered two fourth-place votes. Jonathan Greenard had two fourth-place tallies in the edge rusher vote, which was dominated by Hutchinson (all four first-place votes) and Gary.

DT DJ Reader, Detroit Lions – by John Maakaron, Lions On SI

The Lions sought to add a viable nose tackle this offseason and did so with the signing of DJ Reader. An experienced veteran, Reader has carved out a nice reputation in the NFL as one of the league’s best run stuffers. 

Reader also has legitimate pass-rush juice, notching 34 pressures a year ago. With how much he drew double teams and extra blockers from opponents last year, the veteran can also free up other players along the defensive line such as Alim McNeill. 

Detroit has the potential to have a very solid defensive line tandem in Reader and McNeill. More than that, Reader has already been praised by some of the younger players on the defensive line for his leadership. Though he may not be healthy for the start of training camp, the veteran defender is expected to play a massive role for his new team in 2024. 

DE Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit Lions – by John Maakaron, Lions On SI

Hutchinson didn’t have a flashy total when it came to sacks in 2023, but he asserted himself as one of the league’s best at putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks. He ranked second at the conclusion of the campaign in pressures, one behind Nick Bosa across the regular season and postseason. 

At points last season, Hutchinson was a one-man army in the pass-rush effort. Detroit struggled to get consistent production from any of its other options, therefore allowing opposing teams to take their chances by doubling the Michigan product. 

Hutchinson appears primed for a big year and has built a reputation as a feared pass-rusher. He was unblockable at points in the postseason, and notched eight sacks across the final five games from Week 17 through the NFC Championship. He’s also eligible for an extension beginning after the season, so the hometown hero could set himself up to cash in nicely with a strong 2024 campaign. 

DE Rashan Gary, Green Bay Packers – by Bill Huber, Packers On SI

In ESPN’s edge-defender rankings, which were built on a poll of NFL executives, scouts and coaches, this quote from a scout said it all: “More consistent and disruptive than the stats show. Explosive and violent. Improved tremendously from the start of his career.”

A first-round pick in 2019, Gary has been good. He’s never been great, though. He’s still looking for his first 10-sack season – he might have had one in 2022 if not for tearing his ACL after recording six sacks in the first nine games. In his comeback season last year, he had nine sacks and 22 quarterback hits in 17 games (13 starts).

However, he has been more disruptive than the stats. Last year, according to PFF, 54 edge defenders had at least 350 pass-rushing opportunities. Gary ranked 11th in pass-rush win rate – ahead of T.J. Watt, Bradley Chubb, Will Anderson, Danielle Hunter and Maxx Crosby, who were 12th through 16th – and tied Hutchinson for eighth in pass-rush productivity, which measures sacks, hits and hurries per pass-rushing snap.

Gary is a heart-and-soul type of player. He should be a great fit in the attacking new defensive scheme, but he’ll have to take his run defense up a level or two for the defense to thrive.

DT Kenny Clark, Green Bay Packers – by Bill Huber, Packers On SI

Clark, who seemingly has been with the Packers since the Glory Years but is only 28, is coming off a third Pro Bowl season in which he set career highs with 7.5 sacks, 13 tackles for losses and 16 quarterback hits. He is the rare three-down defensive tackle capable of burying a running back in the backfield on first down and sacking the quarterback on third down.

That’s evident in the league data. On a per-play basis, Green Bay’s defense was 0.51 yards better on passing plays and 0.18 yards better on rushing plays when he was on the field vs. when he was on the sideline.

His 45 quarterback pressures ranked fourth among interior defensive linemen, according to PFF. His average tackle came 1.5 yards downfield, also the best mark of his career. He wins with power, technique and underrated athleticism.

Clark, who missed just one game the last three seasons, is entering his final season under contract and seems likely to be given a contract extension at some point this season. After years of being asked to read and react and plug gaps, new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley is implementing an attacking 4-3 scheme that should turn Clark loose for even more impact plays.

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