Green Bay Packers: Defense is finally on the mend

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JANUARY 06: Za'Darius Smith #90 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts after blocking a field goal against Mike Badgley #4 of the Los Angeles Chargers during the third quarter in the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium on January 06, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

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GREEN BAY, WI – SEPTEMBER 09: Kenny Clark #97 of the Green Bay Packers reacts during the second quarter of a game against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field on September 9, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

What’s Ahead for the Defense?

During their last Super Bowl season of 2010, the Green Bay Packers gave up the fifth-fewest total yards and passing yards in the league. The team was especially efficient when it came to the big play during the postseason as this unit came up with interception return for touchdowns in the NFC Divisional Playoff win at Atlanta, the conference title game at Chicago and Super Bowl XLV vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers.

One year later, the Packers were dead last in the NFL in those aforementioned categories and set a league record for passing yards allowed in a season. The defense has been mediocre at best for eight seasons and counting. Several disappointing draft classes have contributed to the struggles. Hence one reason the club finally went heavy into free agency this offseason.

The Smith’s, Preston and Za’Darius, take over for unsigned Clay Matthews and now former Packers outside linebacker Nick Perry. But could the versatile six-time Pro Bowler return in 2019 and play inside now that Jake Ryan (who missed all of last season) left for the Jacksonville Jaguars via free agency?

Next. 2019 NFL Mock Draft: Post-free agency first wave. dark

The Packers have added their share of promising defensive back in the past two drafts. That’s something to build on, but the secondary needs more support from the front seven. That rebuilt linebacking corps combined with a little more help on the three-man line and another year under coordinator Mike Pettine could make for quite the turnaround in 2019.

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