The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2025 NFL draft.
Disappointing. That would be the word best used to describe the play of Green Bay’s defensive line this past season under first-year defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. It was so disappointing that they gave defensive line coach Jason Rebrovich his walking papers and replaced him with DeMarcus Covington, who served as the New England Patriots defensive coordinator this past season.
It will be up to Covington to see if he can get the production to catch up to the potential of a group that has four former first-round picks.
It’s a group that will remain largely intact, except for TJ Slaton, who is set to hit the open market.
A player who could be on Green Bay’s radar as they look to add more talent to the mix is Vernon Broughton. The Texas defensive tackle checks in at No. 76 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.
During his first three seasons on campus, Broughton recorded three tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. In 2024, Broughton recorded five tackles for loss and one sack, while playing behind T’Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy
This past season, Broughton recorded 39 tackles, five tackles for loss, four sacks, and forced two fumbles.
“Broughton was one of the biggest surprises from the Texas defense,” Joey Hickey, a contributing writer for Athlon Sports said. “After Texas lost T’Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy to the NFL, many expected the Texas interior to be a weakness. Broughton played a huge role in Texas having the fourth most sacks in the nation.”
Broughton is an active interior presence and has an ideal frame. He gets upfield quickly and is a violent pass rusher, with the power to bench-press offensive linemen off of him. He shows good closing burst to the quarterback and finished this past season with 32 pressures.
“Broughton is bruising, physical and technical as a pass rusher,” Hickey said. “He had talent out of high school as one of the best defensive recruits from the Tom Herman era at Texas. He has the technique of a veteran player with several years of college coaching.”
Broughton does a good job of getting off blocks and disrupting the action in the backfield. He uses his hands well and has a radar for the football. The Texas defensive tackle has the lateral quickness to make plays up and down the line of scrimmage. He has a strong trunk and can be hard to move off his spot. According to Pro Football Focus he finished this past season with 26 run stops.
“Run defense has perhaps been Broughton’s biggest area of improvement,” Hickey said. “He isn’t necessarily elite in run stuffing but can hold his own in the trenches.”
Fit with the Packers
Adding a player like Broughton to the mix could provide Green Bay’s interior pass rush with a much-needed shot in the arm. Devonte Wyatt, Kenny Clark, Karl Brooks and Slaton combined for 10 sacks this past season, with five of them coming from Wyatt.
Broughton would slot into the rotation and help Green Bay’s run defense continue its upward trajectory while helping Green Bay’s pass rush become a more consistent force.
“With Broughton, you’re getting a well-developed player,” Hickey said. “He comes from a culture of competition in the defensive tackle room. There’s a pattern of several Longhorns defensive linemen who didn’t transfer, competed and made the most of their opportunity when they got it. Keondre Coburn, T’Vondre Sweat and Alfred Collins all broke out as “super seniors” which speaks to their ability to face adversity and make the most of it. Broughton could also make an immediate impact perhaps faster than other rookies because he’s older and perhaps stronger.”