The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2025 NFL draft.
The Green Bay Packers’ pass rush needs a shot in the arm this offseason. They’re currently in the market for a new defensive line coach after that group failed to play at a high level throughout the season consistently.
After the Packers find a new voice for that room, Brian Gutekunst will turn his attention to adding more talent to that group.
A player that Gutekunst could target during the 2025 NFL Draft is Tyler Baron. The Miami defensive end checks in at No. 90 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.
A transfer from Tennessee, Baron recorded 11 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks during his lone season in Miami.
“Miami wanted to establish top-line depth on the defensive line, and adding an SEC starter like Baron helped solidify one of the better defensive lines in America,” Alex Donno, the host of the Locked On Canes podcast. “Baron had a tremendous start to the season and that was such a boost to the Hurricanes since fellow starter Rueben Bain picked up an injury in the opener. While the Hurricanes’ defense was shaky for much of the season, most of their issues were on the back end, not the front four. Baron finished the year tied for the team lead with 5.5 sacks.”
Baron owns an NFL frame, standing at 6-5 and weighing in at 260 pounds. The Hurricane defensive end has a good blend of speed and power. He wins the corner with quickness and long strides. He showcases pursuit burst and finished this past season with 48 pressures. The former Tennessee Volunteer does a nice job of setting up a slippery inside rush. He has a diverse package of pass-rush moves and can win with speed and power.
“He brings a diversity of pass-rushing moves and an ability to switch up from speed to power and keep the offensive line guessing,” Donno said. “He can play standing up or with his hand in the dirt.”
Baron has strong hands to shock and separate from blocks. He has the chase speed to track down ball carriers as a backside defender. According to Pro Football Focus, Baron recorded 48 run stops over the past two seasons.
“In the run game, Baron showed some inconsistencies,” Donno said. “In Miami’s games against Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech, specifically, he often failed to set the edge and appeared to freelance too much. This looked more like a lack of discipline and not any physical limitation on his part.”
Fit with the Packers
During Jeff Hafley’s first season as defensive coordinator, Green Bay’s pass rush has run a little hot and cold. During week 15 and week 16, Green Bay’s pass rush recorded 10 sacks and 64 pressures.
That’s a dominant two-week stretch. Unfortunately, far too often Green Bay’s pass rush fell silent in critical games this season. It’s something they’ll have to fix this offseason. Whether that comes from Rashan Gary bouncing back or Lukas Van Ness enjoying a breakout campaign during his third year in the league, the Packers need somebody up front to turn into a dominant force that can take over games.
Baron, like Green Bay’s pass rush, can look dominant for stretches and then go dormant. Baron started his career at Miami with a bang, recording 4.5 sacks during the first three weeks and then only had one sack the rest of the season. However, it’s worth noting that Baron’s sack numbers may not jump out of the box score, he did have a four-week stretch during the middle of the season when he recorded 23 pressures.
“His physicality and elite NFL size would be hard to pass up,” Donno said. “I would throw out two cautions, however. The first would be the inconsistencies mentioned above about his run-stopping. The other would be to note that in some games, like Miami’s opener against Florida, he appears unblockable, while in other games, his contributions were quiet. He’s a streaky player who needs to find more consistency.”
The Packers need to add juice to their pass-rush group. While Barron is far from a finished product, there is no denying the potential. With his frame, quickness and power, Baron has the tools to develop into a force off the edge.