The Green Bay Packers used the 12th overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft on Michigan edge rusher Rashan Gary.
Gary (6-4, 277) tallied 44 tackles, seven tackles for losses and 3.5 sacks over nine games during his junior season in 2018. He was more productive as a junior, producing 67 tackles, 12 tackles for losses anad six sacks.
A five-star recruit coming out of high school, Gary turned into a two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection at Michigan.
Adding Gary after signing Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith in free agency will provide a much-needed boost to the Packers’ ability to disrupt the passer next season.
Gary is an elite athlete, having run a 4.58-second 40-yard dash at 277 pounds at the combine.
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com believes Gary has “elite potential.”
“He’s explosive out of the blocks and in closing to the quarterback, and is just waiting for hand development and additional rush moves,” Zierlein wrote. “His size, strength and motor could make him a plus run defender in short order. He has elite potential if a defensive coordinator can harness the energy and focus his approach.”
