Jets Could Help Determine Pecking Order for Packers' D
The Packers' first preseason matchup should allow for some solid tape for Hafley and Co.
By JosephR
Move over Matthew Golden, the excitement still belongs on the defensive side of the ball.
After a thrilling Family Night, the 2025 Packers finally get to hit something other than each other....I'm sure Nate Hobbs is beaming somewhere (too soon?) And while quarterback Jordan Love's continued development and budding relationship with the Packers' shiny new 1st Round Pick is the toast of the town, let's not forget that in the House that Gutekunst Built, defense remains a top priority.
I've been looking at the defense and while it may not necessarily be chock-full of household names, I firmly believe this defense is stacked with young talent, and some of it has some experience already.
The Jets are in flux (again): new quarterback (again), new coach (again), new GM (again), and numerous questions about seemingly everything (again). I don't think there's another team that could be a more perfect matchup for this Packers defense to "tee off" on before a date with the Lions on September 7th.
Among this young core of talent, I've identified three "Big 3s" who should be eager to make their mark on Defensive Coordinator Jeff Hafley's coaching approach as he prepares to build on his 2024 campaign.
Defensive Interior - Warren Brinson, Keith Randolph, Nazir Stackhouse
I'm really intrigued to see what inroads these three can make onto the roster. Randolph may have the slight edge with his "experience" from the Bears, but the two former Bulldogs have flashed at times. The Jets' offensive line is in tatters, and I hope to see some extended drives where a combination of these three can consistently win some reps. Whoever wins the least could find themselves in the lead for practice squad consideration.
Edge - Brenton Cox Jr., Arron Mosby, Barryn Sorrell
I NEED Hafley to unleash Brenton on the Jets. I'm sure plenty of Packers' fans have wondered why he doesn't get more time out there, but I really want to see the proverbial "gap" between Cox and 3rd Rounder Sorrell. I wasn't a fan of Sorrell initially, because I so passionately believe in Cox. I need to see some sort of promise that justifies the upgrade. Mosby has to find his way to step in between the two, which may not be such a tall order as I'm initially thinking.
Cornerback - Kamal Hadden, Kalen King, Micah Robinson,
This might be the most anticipated "battle" of the preseason. Corey Ballantine's signing isn't just about familiarity. I thoroughly believe Gutekunst has some concerns on the backend of this position group. I know Micah Robinson may be a 7th Round Pick, but after doing some digging, I can't explain his slide. Hadden has the advantage of coming from a similar scheme in the Chiefs' Steve Spagnuolo while King has been cutting his teeth on the practice squad all last year. The Packers are currently carrying 12 cornerbacks in camp, five spots are all but locked in. Javon Bullard did play quite of bit of nickel last year, but I don't believe the Packers want that for the long term. But if nobody can impress, I could certainly see a situation where Bullard becomes the de facto sixth cornerback on the roster. Either way, I don't expect the Jets' Garret Wilson to see any action past the 1st quarter, so whoever can lock down their assignment might earn themselves a spot on the 53.
The Packers kick off against the Jets 7 pm CST at Lambeau Field. Don't miss it as the 2025 roster starts to shake itself out.
#GPG
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Joseph has been an avid fan of the Green Bay Packers since 1997, citing an affinity for dairy products during his childhood and his favorite color, green. Born in Jacksonville, FL, Joseph currently is an Active Duty servicemember in the U.S. Armed Forces. Joseph considers himself a lifelong fan of the game of football, competing since his youth well into adulthood. When it comes to the Pack, Joseph is particularly impassioned about the NFL Draft and collegiate scouting process, and will contribute regularly on CHTV.com leading to that year's upcoming Draft. You can follow him on Twitter at @joeyreyallday.
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Comments (9)
GregC
August 09, 2025 at 04:49 am
Good to have Joseph R. back.
I don't think Keith Randolph has a chance. He was signed by the Bears as an undrafted free agent last year and was cut at the end of training camp. He didn't even play football last year. I think there is a three-way competition between Warren Brinson, Nazir Stackhouse, and Colby Wooden for the #4 and #5 DT spots (after Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyattt, and Karl Brooks).
Barryn Sorrell was a fourth round pick, and I am looking forward to seeing him play tonight. He will make the team because of where he was drafted, and I think he will be competing more with Kingsley Enagbare than with Brenton Cox. Some people think Enagbare could get cut. I don't think he will, but there's a good chance they will let him walk when his contract expires after this season, and Sorrell will replace him in the DE rotation next year. Cox already proved his worth at the end of last season. I don't know if he has much to prove in preseason games. Sounds like he's been good in practice.
Kamal Hadden hasn't practiced in a week or two, so I doubt he will play. Which five CB spots do you think are all but locked in? I'm counting only three: Nixon, Hobbs, and Valentine. Bo Melton seems to have a leg up for the #4 spot, but he still has a lot to prove, and tonight could be an important test for him. I hope he does well and that at least one of the other guys steps up.
Guam
August 09, 2025 at 07:17 am
You were up early this morning GregC!
I agree with every point you made. The battle is between Wooden, Stackhouse and Brinson at DT.
Cox, Enagbare and Sorrell make the team with Oliver on PUP/IR. Enagbare could get cut/traded when Oliver is ready to play if Oliver returns - hammys can last all season.
There are three spots open at CB (#4, #5, and #6) with Melton, Hadden, King, Robinson, Ballantine et al in a dogfight for those slots. This battle will likely go on until the end of TC.
Looking forward to the game tonight!
MnPackerFan
August 09, 2025 at 08:20 am
Agree but think brooks is not set as number 3. He did not play that well last year and could see Stackhouse playing early run downs. Have NOT heard much from brooks and hearing more lately from brinson.
Thegreatreynoldo
August 09, 2025 at 04:59 pm
Randolph was a UDFA who did not make Chicago's 53-man roster or their PS. He did not make anyone's PS squad all year. His experience is solely most of one TC. OTOH, the Bears gave him $220K in guaranteed money, so was not a stiff in college. I suppose that means sitting home all year did not mean no money in the bank. Huber interviewed him and Randolph said he hurt his back in camp and missed some practices and preseason games.
From Windy City Gridiron:
"The Bears DTs were horribly thin, and Randolph was a UDFA that many thought had a chance to make the 53-man roster. Not only did he fail to do that, but he never flashed and failed to make the practice squad as well."
Checking: Randolph played 22 snaps on August 1 (44% vs, Houston - hall of fame game) 21 snaps on aug 17, and 20 snaps on august 23. He missed the Aug. 9 game. So, he did get hurt, I guess.
dobber
August 09, 2025 at 07:35 am
"I NEED Hafley to unleash Brenton on the Jets."
It's going to be hot an humid...and it's the first week of August. Cox's place on the roster seems pretty firm to me. I hope he plays a series or two and looks good, but I hope they put him back in the box early. There's plenty of guys behind him that can soak up the reps.
LaF seems to be committed to giving his 1s some play, but I hope he doesn't get carried away. Playing your impact players very much in August is only a winning proposition if they 1. don't get hurt, and 2. end up playing well early in the season (and throughout the season). I'm not so sure a team like the Jets--who aren't good, are playing with a new staff and with lots of guys trying to make a mark, and who have done a lot more live hitting in camp--are who you want to give much run for your 1s against.
Guam
August 09, 2025 at 09:13 am
I dunno Dobber - Cox is not a 1 and seems to be in a dogfight with Enagbare, Sorrell, Mosby and eventually Oliver for playing time. Getting him some reps against the Jets maybe what he needs to separate himself from his competition. I wouldn't mind seeing him play several series.
Coldworld
August 09, 2025 at 09:22 am
Cox has consistently been the third man up after Gary and LVN. Like Dobber, I don’t really think there’s much of a question there. I’d expect them to play him a bit, but I think we don’t see much of Gary anyway. I think we see a lot more of the rest behind those 3 though. That’s the fight, for the 53 and PS.
Thegreatreynoldo
August 09, 2025 at 04:26 pm
I concur. Cox in my mind is a lock. 17 pressures in 97 pass rush snaps is 17.5% pressure rate. 4 sacks, and 8 QB hits. Can he do it in an expanded role? That is the only question. [Gary for example had 15 QB hits in 4 times the number of pass rush snaps (417 snaps) and 47 pressures.
Brooks pressure percentage is also much better than Wooden, while both are bad against the run.
LambeauPlain
August 09, 2025 at 12:09 pm
The flyer Gutey took on Cox, Jr. is paying dividends. And I don't believe Ribrovich had much do with Cox's steady improvement.
But Hafley sees it...and Covington will/has too. I see Cox as the first DE in to spell Gary or LVN...assuming Cox does not earn a starting role during the season. I believe he could. Very effective and efficient with his snaps.
He seems to have passed Enagbare already. LVN needs to be wary of Cox's determination. Brenton, just a few years ago was one of the most highly sought college recruits on Earth...then he pooped in his mess kits with off field stuff at Georgia and Florida. He only played 2 years of college ball. Steep NFL learning curve should be leveling off now. And he has stuck to business.