Green Bay Packers: Ranking the 10 best players on the team
By Joe Kipp
4. Kenny Clark
At this point, it’s unarguable whether defensive tackle Kenny Clark is the best player on Green Bay’s defense. He’s easily one of the best interior linemen in the game today but has yet to be named to a Pro Bowl or All-Pro team. Clark has been one of the most underrated defensive tackles in the NFL for three years running, but finally started gaining recognition this season.
Clark was rated as Pro Football Focus’ No. 9 interior defensive lineman (subscription required) last season, earning a cumulative grade of 90.9. One of the most eye-popping stats from 2018 was the fact that Clark led all Packers defenders in total quarterback pressures (46) and run stops (28). For an interior player to lead the entire team in total pressures speaks volumes about his ability as a pass rusher. Simply put, Clark is one of the NFL’s most complete defensive tackles.
The Packers elected to exercise Clark’s fifth-year option in his contract this past month, meaning he’ll be with the team at least through the 2020 season. Green Bay will likely try to work out a long-term deal with him before then, however, especially since his production on the field could cause his price tag to increase as time goes on.
The most surprising thing about Clark is the fact he’s still only 23 years old. Drafted in the first round of the 2016 draft, Clark is younger than some of Green Bay’s rookies from last season. The sky is the limit for the Packers’ young interior defender.