Green Bay Packers defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery made it known pre-draft that he wanted a twitchy interior pass-rusher added to his group. General manager Brian Gutekunst delivered the order in full when he used a first-round pick on Georgia’s Devonte Wyatt.
“You’d love to add a high-level third-down pass rusher,” Montgomery said in April. “A little bit more twitchy of a guy that can add to the rush from the inside standpoint.”
Wyatt fits the bill. In fact, it’s possible Wyatt was exactly who Montgomery was thinking of when he described what he wanted Gutekunst to get in the draft.
“Loved his college film,” Montgomery said Wednesday. “I love what he brings to the table.”
The Packers took Wyatt at No. 28 overall and were surprised if he was still there six picks after getting linebacker Quay Walker at No. 22.
Montgomery described Wyatt as big and athletic with the right combination of twitch and a high motor.
“From an athletic standpoint and twitch standpoint, he stands out. Big, athletic and plays with a high motor,” Montgomery said. “Even though we teach effort, he’s a guy you don’t have to say much to. I’m excited about that.”
Montgomery and the Packers think Wyatt can be a highly effective player against the run on first and second down while also providing the valuable pass-rushing ability on third down. According to Pro Football Focus, Wyatt ranked third among interior defensive linemen in positively graded play rate against the run and eighth in pass-rush win rate last season.
“He can be really good on first and second down,” Montgomery said. “And he’s an inside guy that has some unique traits as a pass-rusher. Some things you can’t teach, he just naturally has. He’s got twitch…and he’s got a high motor. Just a natural high motor. Really, really good defensive line traits.”
His twitch and athleticism were evident at the NFL Scouting Combine when he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.77 seconds with a 1.6-second 10-yard split at 304 pounds. Montgomery said he saw everything he needed to see in Wyatt’s college tape and on the field at the Senior Bowl.
The Packers could use his athleticism and pass-rushing ability on the inside. The defense lost Za’Darius Smith and Kingsley Keke in the span of a few months. Both were used effectively as interior pass-rushers on obvious passing downs. In Wyatt, the Packers may have a more versatile and explosive version of Keke, who was productive as an inside rusher but lacked the ability to be a true three-down player.
“Now we have to get him to play the way we need him to play at our level here, but we’re excited about him,” Montgomery said.
