Defensive end Brenton Cox Jr. continues to emerge as a legitimate pass-rusher for the Green Bay Packers down the stretch of the 2024 season. On Monday night against the New Orleans Saints, Cox Jr. led the team with six pressures as the Packers pressured rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler on 52.6 percent of dropbacks, per Next Gen Stats.
Cox Jr. sacked Rattler for a 7-yard loss in the third quarter. He also had another quarterback hit and a run stop after no gain. Even on a questionable roughing the passer penalty, the second-year edge rusher displayed an ability to quickly beat the block of right tackle Trevor Penning and disrupt the quarterback.
Cox Jr. now has a sack in back-to-back games and three of the last four. Despite playing in only six games, Cox Jr. has 4.0 sacks — ranking fourth on the Packers defense — and six quarterback hits. The trade of Preston Smith during the bye opened up opportunities, and Cox Jr. has taken full advantage.
Devonte Wyatt also had a key sack before the half, giving him 5.0 sacks on the season, and Keisean Nixon produced a strip-sack turnover as a blitzing cornerback. Lukas Van Ness ranked second with five pressures against the Saints, per Next Gen Stats.
While the individual performances were impressive, the Packers’ overall pressure rate was most important. Green Bay has been dominant up front against Rattler and Geno Smith/Sam Howell in back-to-back weeks, producing pressure on over 50 percent of dropbacks in both wins. Jeff Hafley continues to call well-timed blitzes and the Packers are getting more consistent pressure with only four rushers on key downs.
Even in a rotational role, Cox Jr. has been a big part of the pass-rushing dominance. Can he keep ascending and give the Packers a reliable quarterback disruptor come the postseason?
