The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2022 NFL Draft.
The Green Bay Packers fortified their defensive line by signing free agent Jarran Reed to a one-year deal. With Reed, Kenny Clark and Dean Lowry up front, the Packers have the making of a strong defensive line group.
Reed is arguably the most talented defensive line teammate that Clark has had during his tenure in Green Bay and his presence gives Clark some much-needed assistance up front. The heavy lifting is over, but that doesn’t mean Brian Gutekunst won’t look to add more talent up front via the 2022 NFL draft.
A player that Green Bay’s general manager could target in the second round on April 29 is Phidarian Mathis. The Alabama defensive lineman checks in at No. 24 in the Unpacking Future Packers countdown.
In 2020, Mathis recorded five tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. This past season Mathis recorded 53 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks.
From Pro Football Focus:
“Mathis is a veteran on the Alabama defensive line and one of the most all-around impactful players at the position nationally. He ranks seventh among Power 5 interior defensive linemen in PFF grade this season. He and Jalen Carter are the lone players at the position to own grades above 80.0 as both a run-defender and a pass-rusher when lined up at defensive tackle.”
The Alabama defensive tackle passes the eye test. Mathis has powerful shoulders and stuns offensive linemen with his strong, heavy hands. He gets upfield quickly by winning off the snap, resetting the line of scrimmage.
As a run defender, Mathis is strong at the point of attack and has a non-stop motor. He rarely gets pushed off his spot and is quick to locate the ball carrier. Mathis stays light on his feet and shows good lateral quickness to make plays up and down the line of scrimmage. Mathis shows good effort from snap to snap and does a great job of chasing plays down.
“His greatest strength on the field is his ability to muddy up the trenches,” Dakota Cox, a contributor for Bama Hammer, said. “No one is getting past him, and he can shed blocks consistently. He’s also a leader among leaders. He will impact any locker room.”
In terms of what Mathis offers as a pass-rusher, he has the quickness and burst to collapse the pocket. The Alabama defensive tackle has quick, violent hands. Mathis finished his one year as a starter at Alabama with nine sacks. While he may never reach that total as a pro, he has flashed the ability to be a difference-maker as an interior pass rusher.
“Mathis only has one year of sack production as a pass rusher, and you can attribute some of this to the favorable matchups he got beside Will Anderson,” Cox said. “Still, he has lateral quickness and can use his hands to get past a guard. He can split a double team at the college level, and he’s not going to let a quarterback get free once his hands are on him.”
Fit with the Packers
The Packers have their starters up front. Now they need to bolster their depth behind Clark, Reed, and Lowry.
Mathis has all the tools to be a solid rotational piece as a rookie with the upside to develop into a starter. He’s versatile enough to play all over the defensive line. He would help shore up Green Bay’s run defense while also adding juice to Green Bay’s interior pass rush.
“He has a high floor and can contribute in a rotation,” Cox said. “If he slips to the third round, you’re getting an excellent locker room presence with no red flags. He isn’t a swing for the fences, but he’s a guaranteed double that can turn into a home run if things go his way.”
Alabama has had a lot of interior defensive linemen selected in the draft over the last few years. Quinnen Williams, Christian Barmore, Jonathan Allen, Isaiah Buggs and Raekwon Davis. Mathis is the next in line. While he may not be a starter on day one for the Packers, Davis has the strength and size to be a day-one impact player for the Packers.
