With established veteran Kenny Clark, 2022 first-round draft pick Devonte Wyatt and returning second-year options Karl Brooks and Colby Wood, it’s simple to forget about powerful defensive lineman TJ Slaton playing inside for the Green Bay Packers.
Consider this: By Professional focus on footballSlaton was the second-highest-rated defensive lineman when he lined up at the one-technique position in the 2023 season. Generally, one technique is placed directly in front of the center or slightly shaded to one side of the center.
Top rated player? Dexter Lawrence of the New York Giants at 88.4. Slaton was second with a score of 82.5.
One-technique usually commands a double team from center and defense and is a key player in the run defense.
According to PFF, Slaton played 679 snaps last season. He produced 16 pressures as a pass rusher and 35 stops while running. His run stopping percentage (9.5) was the highest on the Packers defense.
The Packers move to a 4-3 base front under Jeff Hafley. Slaton playing one-technique more often should give players like Clark, Wyatt and Brooks more opportunities to get out there and disrupt the game with three-techniques.
Slaton, a fifth-round draft pick in 2021, is entering the final year of his rookie deal in 2024. He played in all 17 games for the Packers in 2023.
