TJ Slaton is showing signs of progression ahead of his second NFL season. Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur has seen a stronger work ethic from last year’s fifth-round pick, who needs to distinguish himself behind a deep defensive line group.
“TJ has done a nice job,” LaFleur said Tuesday. “I think just his work capacity alone has definitely increased, and I think that’s a learning curve for a lot of young players is they don’t know necessarily what they’re getting into when they first get into this league.”
As a rookie, Slaton generated a lot of buzz for his performance in training camp. That play carried over to the preseason, where he had seven run stops, three pressures, and a sack in three games. Slaton, known for his run-stuffing ability, certainly looked the part.
But suddenly, momentum tapered off for the rookie. Slaton struggled to generate a presence on defense for the first half of the season, averaging just over eight snaps per game. Slaton then received a great opportunity in Week 9 when Kenny Clark left the game with a back injury. Slaton stepped in to replace the Pro Bowler, finishing with a season-high four tackles and three run stops, according to Pro Football Focus.
Over the final eight weeks of the season, Slaton recorded double-digit snap counts in all but two games. Packers defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery was pleased with what he saw from a more focused Slaton, especially as a run defender.
“I think he can be a dominant run player when he’s doing the right things,” Montgomery said after the season. “That’s what I’m going to hold him accountable for.”
Heading toward an important sophomore season, LaFleur says Slaton is holding himself accountable, and the results are showing.
“I think he’s light years ahead of where he was a year ago,” LaFleur said.
9️⃣3️⃣ going 💯! 💪@_56Ms_ | #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/lwT4rds9sS
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) June 14, 2022
Slaton will have to work hard to beat out guys like Dean Lowry, Jarran Reed, and Devonte Wyatt for snaps in 2022, but he appears to be up for the challenge.
