Green Bay Packers May Have a Hidden Gem in Karl Brooks, the Compact D-Lineman Ready for a Bigger Role
As the offseason carries on, attention in Green Bay increasingly turns to Karl Brooks, the compact yet powerful defensive lineman who quietly showed promise during his first two years with the Packers. Felipe Reis of Zone Coverage revisited Brooks’ development on June 30, 2025, emphasizing how this underrated interior defender appears primed for an expanded role in 2025.
Brooks first made waves in 2023—his rookie year—by demonstrating notable pass-rushing instincts. He recorded 58 quarterback pressures and eight sacks across two seasons, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF). In his first campaign alone, Brooks blocked four passes, ranking fourth among all NFL defensive linemen. That same year, his influence was profound in Green Bay’s playoff run: during their 24–21 Divisional Round loss to the 49ers, he earned the team’s top grade.
Known for his explosiveness and agility—traits honed at Bowling Green—Brooks consistently showed a knack for disrupting quarterbacks. He pressured the QB heavily, ranking among the top rookies with respect to pressures, hurries, hits, and sacks.
Yet his role remained largely situational due to issues with run defense. In 2023, Brooks posted the lowest run-defense grade (44.5) among the Packers’ interior linemen and was deployed sparingly. Despite playing more run-defense snaps in 2024 (partly due to Devonte Wyatt’s injury), his snap percentage declined to 37%, as the coaches still leaned on broader, bulkier players in early-down front looks.
At 6-foot-3 and about 296 pounds, Brooks is not the largest interior lineman—it’s a trait he acknowledges with characteristic humor: although he may not tower like some peers, his frame lends versatility as a hybrid defender . Indeed, his experience on the edge in college has shaped his aggressive rush style, though he’s still adapting to the demands of holding ground against power-run plays.
For Green Bay’s defensive line, 2025 looms as something of a transition year. The unit underperformed last season, ranking 27th in pass-rush win rate, despite accumulating 45 sacks—with nearly half concentrated in only three games . Longtime starter Kenny Clark is aging, and Wyatt has yet to cement himself as a full-time starter. That makes Brooks’ potential growth integral to the team’s interior momentum.
Reis notes that Brooks needs to elevate his run defense to take on a prominent role. If he can anchor a bit more effectively on early downs, he has a shot at a larger, more consistent role—possibly even a starter’s spot . His ability to rush the passer gives him a unique value, and such an uptick in performance could even spark early contract discussions. According to NFLPA guidelines, Packers draftees from 2023 can enter extension talks next year. While attention may initially fall on Tucker Kraft or Jayden Reed, a breakout season could thrust Brooks into the conversation.
Achieving that step forward in performance, though, won’t be simple. It would require one of the most significant year-over-year performance jumps ever by a Packers defensive player. Brooks clearly has the explosive traits and athleticism. The question remains whether he can turn those into dependable, every-down contribution .
Why this is big news
Karl Brooks embodies the archetype of a high-upside, versatile rotational player—just the type of emerging talent that can reshape a defensive front if developed correctly. With the Packers needing interior pass-rush production and reliable run stoppers, a strong 2025 campaign could meaningfully alter the team’s defensive identity.
Quick profile: Karl Brooks
- Drafted from Bowling Green in Round 6, 2023 (No. 179 overall)
- Known for elite burst and success as a pass rusher—58 pressures, eight sacks in two years
- Excelled in pass-rush metrics and batted down passes as a rookie
- Needs to improve run-defense consistency to expand his snap count
- Versatile: aligns both inside and along the edge
- Could be in talks for a contract extension following a breakout 2025 season
In summary, Green Bay’s coaching staff and front office will be watching Brooks closely this offseason. If he sharpens his run-defense and sustains his pass-rush efficiency, he won’t just be a rotational piece—he could become the next cornerstone of the interior line.
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