Recently, the godfather of the Relative Athletic Score grading system — a gentleman named Kent Lee Platte — tweeted up a storm ranking all 32 NFL teams by their average RAS numbers. It won’t surprise you to learn that the Packers, long known for their rigid athletic thresholds, ranked seventh, with a team average of 7.69 (the highest was Indianapolis at 8.39. A max RAS score is 10).

I’ve opined in previous columns about the excessive worship of these numbers by teams, pundits and the media, and my relief that Brian Gutekunst seems increasingly willing to deviate from the Packers’ historical RAS requirements.

The issue arose again as I was deciding which Packer I think is most likely to be this year’s Jayden Reed — an unlikely breakout player who contributes heavily and shows long-term star potential. My choice is Karl Brooks, a sixth-round pick in 2023 who I believe is not only poised to play a significant role in the Packers’ D-line rotation, but has the potential to replace Kenny Clark if the Packers decide not to pay Clark third-contract money after this season. (I’m not rooting for that outcome, but given the looming extensions for Jordan Love and a couple of others, it might be necessary.)

Coincidentally, Reed and Brooks had RAS scores well below the norm for Green Bay, which in Brooks’ case undoubtedly contributed to his fall in the draft. But Brooks was outstanding at Bowling Green, leading the team in sacks for four years while also racking up big numbers in tackles for loss and fumbles created. He was, in fact, one of the most disruptive D-line forces in all of college football during his career. And he had a strong Senior Bowl, which has emerged as a powerful draft evaluation factor for Gute & Co. 

Unfortunately, Brooks, who at sub-300 pounds already was considered something of a D-line tweener, tested miserably, ending up with a RAS of 5.87. Yet in his rookie season in Green Bay, albeit with limited snaps, we again saw nothing but strong production. According to PFF, Brooks achieved an overall grade of 69.8, which led all the team’s interior D-linemen, including Clark at 68.8 and Devonte Wyatt at 59.6. Out of 135 NFL defensive linemen, Brooks’ PFF grades landed him 35th.

Watch his 2023 tape and you don’t see anything “wow,” just a whole lot of football IQ and a man confidently navigating the chaos of NFL trenches, with a natural ability to rush the passer. Brooks registered four sacks on 380 snaps. Wyatt had 5.5, on 552 snaps. On the depth chart, Brooks appears to have surpassed Colby Wooden, who was drafted two rounds earlier in 2023. Highlight reels are obviously just highlights, but they are worth watching. NFL films is blocking the embed, but you can see them here on YouTube.

Brooks is no one’s idea of a run-stuffer, but he appears an ideal match for new DC Jeff Hafley’s scheme and commitment to movable pieces  disrupting the opposing backfield with pressure from as many places as possible. At 6’3, 296, Brooks reminds me of a taller Mike Daniels, with a similar head down, let’s-get-after-it mentality. 

As mentioned, it’s happenstance that at least so far, the best defensive player and best offensive player from the Packers’ 2023 draft were RAS outliers. I’m not advocating that the team ignore, or even devalue, athleticism. It’s critical. But RAS should never be disqualifying. Davante Adams, with his RAS of 6.53, would never have donned the green and gold, to cite one glaring example. (Reed’s was 6.61). Moreover, RAS could use some improvement. For example, rather than focus on hand size, I’d measure hand strength. 

It’s always hard to predict how players will perform in year two; Lukas Van Ness could turn out to be the edge monster that justifies his first-round selection. Dontayvion Wicks might become the next Adams. And this year’s draft class has intriguing prospects. But Brooks’ arrow is pointing way up, and not because of a set of athletic features. It’s because, as PFF’s Sam Monson said recently, Brooks is just a really good football player. GPG.