The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who the Green Bay Packers could select in the 2025 NFL draft.
The Green Bay Packers’ pass rush could use a different flavor and more juice. Rashan Gary, Lukas Van Ness, Kingsley Enagbare and Brenton Cox Jr are all power-packed pass rushers and that room could use a Clay Matthews-like player.
A player that would provide plenty of juice to Green Bay’s pass rush is Mike Green. The Marshall edge rusher checks in at No. 66 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.
Green was a three-star wide receiver recruit, who started his collegiate career at Virginia before departing in 2022. His departure from Virginia will likely be a talking point in a lot of his team interviews during the NFL Scouting Combine.
During his first season at Marshall,, Green recorded 43 tacklers, nine tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.
This past season Green was named the Sun Belt Player of the Year after he led the FBS in sacks (17) and tackles for loss (23).
“Big Mike was the heartbeat of the team,” Ralph Street, the defensive line coach for Marshall said. “He led bible study for the team and students that wanted to attend on campus. He outworks everybody. If I was to show you practice clips of him chasing the ball you wouldn’t believe it. He starts every drill in front and finishes every drill first. His approach inspires others to be better. His leadership is so conducive for his teammates to grow and learn from him. His game changing plays brought competitive energy to the team to execute at a higher level. Mike meant everything to the team.”
Green is twitched up and has a quick first step and is able to convert speed to power. He rushes low and fast, showing the lower body flexibility to bend and run the arc with speed. He’s able to stay balanced through contact. He has a deep bag of tricks as a pass rusher, that’s highlighted by his spin and swim moves. Along with his 17 sacks, Green recorded 59 pressures.
During a two-week stretch when Marshall played Virginia Tech and Ohio State, Green recorded three sacks and nine pressures, with two sacks and eight of those pressures coming against Virginia Tech.
“He’s so dominant because of his preparation,” Street said. “He spends countless hours watching film and taking notes. Athletically, he’s a freak of nature. His contact balance is elite from his wrestling background. He’s a natural bender and has great mobility in the hips and ankles. He can generate so much power from a stand still which allows him to power rush.”
Green plays above his weight class against the run. He’s violent and is powerful at the point of attack. He’s used to receiving extra attention and slaps his shoulders into oncoming chippers. If left unblocked as a backside defender, he has the pursuit speed to chase down ball carriers. Due to his initial burst he can be in the backfield before the offense knew what hit them. To go along with his 23 tackles for loss, Green recorded 49 run stops.
“He destroys blocks and ball carriers,” Street said. “He led the country in tackles for loss. Mike has a great understanding of what types of blocks he’s attacking from formation recognition, back location and down and distance. He plays with great pad level and his hand placement is always great to create knock back and disengage the blockers to make the tackle on the ball carrier.”
Fit with the Packers
Green Bay’s pass rush ran hot and cold, mostly cold during Hafley’s first season as defensive coordinator. The duo of Rashan Gary and Lukas Van Ness combined for 10.5 sacks and 67 pressures.
Nobody inside 1265 Lombardi Avenue is giving up on that duo, but they both need to be better next season and the Packers could add a player like Green, who is built and moves differently than Gary and Van Ness.
With his first step quickness and flexibility, Green would provide Green Bay’s pass rush with a much-needed shot in the arm.
“He’s driven to be the best,” Street said. “He’s a true competitor. He competes and wants to be the best in everything. His discipline and work ethic reflects his goals. He would play in the NFL for free. The guy meets with me every morning at 8 AM. He is an accelerated learner his ability to process and to anticipate the progression and make the correct read is unmatched. He knows blocking schemes for gap scheme offenses, zone run plays and can draw every protection we’ll face in our fronts we play. At times he’s not human. He’s the best player on the team and was the easiest to coach and the most disciplined including out working himself because he set his own standard.”
Green weighed in at 251 pounds at the Senior Bowl. The Packers typically like their edge rushers to be north of 260 pounds. Given Green’s ability to hunt the quarterback and make splash plays behind the line of scrimmage, Brian Gutekunst may be able to overlook his weight.
If Green is on the board when the Packers are on the clock with the 23rd overall pick, his talent may be difficult to pass up. The Packers need to create more havoc up front next season. Adding a player who led the FBS in sacks and tackles for loss could go a long way in helping Green Bay’s defensive line be a more dominant force.