Kenny Clark: Elite, Good, or average?

[Scott4Pack]

I know there are a few more weeks in our 2024 season. But it's already, I think, time to start discussing our roster for 2025 and stuff that prepares us for next season. (I especially like it that some are already doing mock drafts too!)

For me, Kenny Clark might be the most compelling discussion. Jaire would be second. But the stuff that is in my head about KC is:
1. His salary and cap hit are at the level of elite players.
2. He was selected to the Pro Bowl for 2024.
3. He hasn't had as many splash plays as most of us would like.

Age isn't an issue for KC. His health seems to be pretty good and steady. But do we expect him to make more big plays? Is somewhat consistent pushing of the OLine into the QB's face enough, or should he make more sacks?

I'm interested in what this forum thinks about him at this point. He is one of my fave Packers. But I do have to confess that I'd like to see him get 7-9 sacks a year, regularly get pressure on the QB, AND be a force against the run more often than not. I just haven't done much evaluation toward that. Please add comments and thank you very much!

[Papa John]

When he is on his game he is fantastic. When he is off, he is bad. Overall, he is too inconsistent IMO. I would place him firmly in the "good" category for defensive linemen.

[musclestang]

Ot seems he can be extremely disruptive, but often isn’t. Or he’s drawing so much attention those around him should be feasting, but often aren’t.

I like him, I think he’s mostly solid, but I do expect more. I haven’t looked at contract but if a lot of it is sunk money, I’m definitely keeping.

I don’t think you can replace with just anybody, but we need to see more splash

[RingoCStarrQB]

Ot seems he can be extremely disruptive, but often isn’t. Or he’s drawing so much attention those around him should be feasting, but often aren’t.

I like him, I think he’s mostly solid, but I do expect more. I haven’t looked at contract but if a lot of it is sunk money, I’m definitely keeping.

I don’t think you can replace with just anybody, but we need to see more splash

I equate Kenny with the serviceable tackle from the 1960s/70s #78 Happiness is Muddin Big Bob Brown.

[BSA]

His salary and cap hit are at the level of elite players.

maybe ?
He's currently 12th for IDL players in terms of annual compensation and that will drop as more players are signed to new deals in 2025
The Packers aren't in a cost-cutting mode and have plenty of cap space to use, so keeping him makes the most sense
Much of what a DT does, doesn't show up on the stat sheet- so unless we can get some educated film review- not sure we can make a fair assessment of his Sunday contributions.

I think its fair to say we'd all like to see more- especially in the Hafley defense- but I don't know how realistic that is

[go pak go]

His salary and cap hit are at the level of elite players.

maybe ?
He's currently 12th for IDL players in terms of annual compensation and that will drop as more players are signed to new deals in 2025
The Packers aren't in a cost-cutting mode and have plenty of cap space to use, so keeping him makes the most sense
Much of what a DT does, doesn't show up on the stat sheet- so unless we can get some educated film review- not sure we can make a fair assessment of his Sunday contributions.

I think its fair to say we'd all like to see more- especially in the Hafley defense- but I don't know how realistic that is

The most dissapointing thing I would say about Kenny Clark in 2024 is Garret Bradburry ate his lunch when usually Clark ate Bradberry's lunch.

KC was the main man going into the Vikings games and he failed when we usually can count him winning those matchups.

[Half Empty]

His salary and cap hit are at the level of elite players.

maybe ?
He's currently 12th for IDL players in terms of annual compensation and that will drop as more players are signed to new deals in 2025
The Packers aren't in a cost-cutting mode and have plenty of cap space to use, so keeping him makes the most sense
Much of what a DT does, doesn't show up on the stat sheet- so unless we can get some educated film review- not sure we can make a fair assessment of his Sunday contributions.

I think its fair to say we'd all like to see more- especially in the Hafley defense- but I don't know how realistic that is

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/rankings/pl ... /cap_total - DL cap hit

[go pak go]

His salary and cap hit are at the level of elite players.

maybe ?
He's currently 12th for IDL players in terms of annual compensation and that will drop as more players are signed to new deals in 2025
The Packers aren't in a cost-cutting mode and have plenty of cap space to use, so keeping him makes the most sense
Much of what a DT does, doesn't show up on the stat sheet- so unless we can get some educated film review- not sure we can make a fair assessment of his Sunday contributions.

I think its fair to say we'd all like to see more- especially in the Hafley defense- but I don't know how realistic that is

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/rankings/pl ... /cap_total - DL cap hit

I think Contract Average makes more sense. Clark is 18th under that category. Or 2 Year Cash where he is 17th.

Current cap hit skews Clark's number a lot because we kept deferring his 2020 - 2023 cap numbers to future years to keep the Rodgers/Adams/Jones band together for that SB run.

[Pugger]

If indeed Kenny is drawing so much attention our DL issues are elsewhere.

[Pckfn23]

I am not so sure we have a D Line issue. We all know the pass rush struggled to get going, but has come alive much more in the 2nd half of the season. That very well could be getting comfortable in the system that Hafley has implemented. And we DEFINITELY have put more of effort into stopping the run.

As it stands for the season:
17th in Pressure %
14th in total Pressures
30th in blitz %
5th in yards per attempt rushing
6th in yards per game rushing

[Half Empty]

maybe ?
He's currently 12th for IDL players in terms of annual compensation and that will drop as more players are signed to new deals in 2025
The Packers aren't in a cost-cutting mode and have plenty of cap space to use, so keeping him makes the most sense
Much of what a DT does, doesn't show up on the stat sheet- so unless we can get some educated film review- not sure we can make a fair assessment of his Sunday contributions.

I think its fair to say we'd all like to see more- especially in the Hafley defense- but I don't know how realistic that is

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/rankings/pl ... /cap_total - DL cap hit

I think Contract Average makes more sense. Clark is 18th under that category. Or 2 Year Cash where he is 17th.

Current cap hit skews Clark's number a lot because we kept deferring his 2020 - 2023 cap numbers to future years to keep the Rodgers/Adams/Jones band together for that SB run.

No problem with that. I was going to caveat my post with a nod to the subjectivity of determining who's being paid what at any particular time. In my case, it's how much he's costing the team against the cap (limiting where else they can spend) vs his production.

[go pak go]

I think keeping Clark in 2025 is a no brainer.

The real decisions this offseason will be:

1. Do you sign TJ Slaton to a 2nd contract
2. Do you slap the 5th year option on Davonte Wyatt

Brooks looks to be a good rotional player. Wooden appears to be replaceable by another draft pick. But the two players above are the guys I'm interested on what they do with.

Personally I am hopeful TJ's price range is at the level we can bring him back. I think he has played good football this year and he is the type of money to play I think is a great fit for a 2nd contract.

Wyatt....man the dude has the talent. His health keeps him off the field but I think he could get really, really expensive if he stays healthy next year and gets 8+ sacks. Which is why I am leaning toward that 5th year option (no idea on the cost since he is a lower 1st round pick)

[go pak go]

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/rankings/pl ... /cap_total - DL cap hit

I think Contract Average makes more sense. Clark is 18th under that category. Or 2 Year Cash where he is 17th.

Current cap hit skews Clark's number a lot because we kept deferring his 2020 - 2023 cap numbers to future years to keep the Rodgers/Adams/Jones band together for that SB run.

No problem with that. I was going to caveat my post with a nod to the subjectivity of determining who's being paid what at any particular time. In my case, it's how much he's costing the team against the cap (limiting where else they can spend) vs his production.

Right. Problem with that "costing the team" is a lot of his cap cost was decided in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. Meaning 2024 Clark has less impact on his cap hit because it's just catch up the 2021 - 2023 "can kicking".

I would say by and large 2020 - 2023 Clark was worth it for those teams. We needed to take that shot because we were in a SB window for 3 of those years.

[Yoop]

I am not so sure we have a D Line issue. We all know the pass rush struggled to get going, but has come alive much more in the 2nd half of the season. That very well could be getting comfortable in the system that Hafley has implemented. And we DEFINITELY have put more of effort into stopping the run.

As it stands for the season:
17th in Pressure %
14th in total Pressures
30th in blitz %
5th in yards per attempt rushing
6th in yards per game rushing

agree, the focus was on improving run defense and gap control, in that I think Hafley succeeded, it took our front line to find balance between stopping the run and pass rush, and it's still a work in progress, but IMO our front improved.

DL play is beyond a shadow of doubt the most endurance robbing position in football, just my opinion, but backed up by scientific data, and if ya don't believe me, just ask Wally

[Yoop]

I think Contract Average makes more sense. Clark is 18th under that category. Or 2 Year Cash where he is 17th.

Current cap hit skews Clark's number a lot because we kept deferring his 2020 - 2023 cap numbers to future years to keep the Rodgers/Adams/Jones band together for that SB run.

No problem with that. I was going to caveat my post with a nod to the subjectivity of determining who's being paid what at any particular time. In my case, it's how much he's costing the team against the cap (limiting where else they can spend) vs his production.

Right. Problem with that "costing the team" is a lot of his cap cost was decided in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. Meaning 2024 Clark has less impact on his cap hit because it's just catch up the 2021 - 2023 "can kicking".

I would say by and large 2020 - 2023 Clark was worth it for those teams. We needed to take that shot because we were in a SB window for 3 of those years.

the evolution of positional pay has not affected lineman, good ones make Mulla, and that will never change mind numbing what a DT goes for, but if you even look like you could successfully rush the passer GM's will line up to pay ya, and Clark is well above average, just wait till Hafley does a bit more tweaking this off season and I'd bet solid coin our pass rush with base 4 jumps 15 % or more over this season, rome wasn't built in one dang season

Wyatt was coming on till injured, I'd still like to add another wide body in the draft and possibly purchase a older vet who while in his twilight years still can give us 20 snaps a game of 100% effort

[Yoop]

His salary and cap hit are at the level of elite players.

maybe ?
He's currently 12th for IDL players in terms of annual compensation and that will drop as more players are signed to new deals in 2025
The Packers aren't in a cost-cutting mode and have plenty of cap space to use, so keeping him makes the most sense
Much of what a DT does, doesn't show up on the stat sheet- so unless we can get some educated film review- not sure we can make a fair assessment of his Sunday contributions.

I think its fair to say we'd all like to see more- especially in the Hafley defense- but I don't know how realistic that is

The most dissapointing thing I would say about Kenny Clark in 2024 is Garret Bradburry ate his lunch when usually Clark ate Bradberry's lunch.

KC was the main man going into the Vikings games and he failed when we usually can count him winning those matchups.

when you have to be aware of possible run, and the pre snap shows that, then pass rush suffers, your a split second late, all the time the opposing blocker needs to win the hands battle, and get grip on ya, forcing the battle into who can push who, meanwhile the QB gets rid of the ball, we changed our philosophy on trench war fare, and that isn't as easy as we think.

[go pak go]

maybe ?
He's currently 12th for IDL players in terms of annual compensation and that will drop as more players are signed to new deals in 2025
The Packers aren't in a cost-cutting mode and have plenty of cap space to use, so keeping him makes the most sense
Much of what a DT does, doesn't show up on the stat sheet- so unless we can get some educated film review- not sure we can make a fair assessment of his Sunday contributions.

I think its fair to say we'd all like to see more- especially in the Hafley defense- but I don't know how realistic that is

The most dissapointing thing I would say about Kenny Clark in 2024 is Garret Bradburry ate his lunch when usually Clark ate Bradberry's lunch.

KC was the main man going into the Vikings games and he failed when we usually can count him winning those matchups.

when you have to be aware of possible run, and the pre snap shows that, then pass rush suffers, your a split second late, all the time the opposing blocker needs to win the hands battle, and get grip on ya, forcing the battle into who can push who, meanwhile the QB gets rid of the ball, we changed our philosophy on trench war fare, and that isn't as easy as we think.

No. I'm not taking the "shift on stopping the run" is the reason Clark got owned by Bradburry.

Let's just call it what it is. Garrett Bradburry finally owned Kenny Clark.

[Labrev]

Above-average. He had a few games recently, sans Minny, where he looked a lot better. He also recently said had been dealing with some injury up to that point, without which he has been able to play better. I think there was also some adjustment needed to the new scheme. He has been playing in 2-gap schemes for the most part up to this point, it has been an adjustment to play more of a 1-gap style.

I can't really point to anything he does at a dominant level, very much a solid but not spectacular DT. We didn't give him elite DT money, so I am okay with the deal they worked out. We could still use more of a stud, elite presence on the DL.