The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2023 NFL draft.
The Green Bay Packers defense yielded 2,372 yards on the ground, which ranked 26th overall. They gave up five yards per carry, which was tied for 29th in the league.
On top of Green Bay’s leaky run defense, their pass rush was nearly nonexistent. Joe Barry’s squad registered just 256 pressures, which ranked 26th in the league (PFF).
Brian Gutekunst needs to prioritize adding difference-makers in the front seven this offseason. A player Green Bay’s general manager could target in the upcoming NFL Draft is Isaiah McGuire. The Missouri edge rusher checks in at No. 63 in the Unpacking Future Packers countdown.
A three-star recruit out of Oklahoma, McGuire recorded four tackles for loss and three sacks during his sophomore season in 2020. The following season, McGuire recorded 55 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and six sacks. This past season McGuire recorded 14 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks.
“McGuire was Missouri’s best edge rusher for the ’22 season,” Nate Edwards, the editor of RockMNation.com said. “He was on the field for more plays than any other defensive lineman (and Missouri’s strength was its depth on the defensive line) and was the second-highest havoc creator on the team (behind fellow edge rusher D.J. Coleman). His strength was his durability and smarts as he was really good at reading plays at the snap and redirecting rushes back to the inside. He’s not the most effective pass rusher in the world but he’s a dude that rarely gives up on a play and nabbed plenty of second-guy there sacks thanks to cumulative pressure.”
At 6-4, 271 pounds, McGuire is similarly built like veteran edge rusher Preston Smith. Just off the hoof, McGuire looks like an edge rusher that Gutekunst would target. Aside from his build, Edwards noted that McGuire’s greatest strength is his high football IQ.
The @seniorbowl is looking live at @MizzouFootball vs. @KStateFB. One prospect we’re betting on the come with is versatile EDGE Isaiah McGuire. @IsaiahMac_93 is more disruptive on tape than paper. NFL scouts like long-bodied guys who can run & rush and McGuire has those traits. pic.twitter.com/9ppR1wbmSe
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) September 10, 2022
“The dude has good instincts,” Edwards said. “Whatever you want to grade him on physical tools, you can’t doubt that he knows his opponent and knows how to counter it. He also uses his hands really well, and, while he doesn’t have a litany of pass-rushing moves, he’s really good at shedding blocks while reading the play and getting into position.”
McGuire has strong, tenacious hands. He’s strong at the point of attack and is hard to dig out. He has adequate pursuit speed to chase down ball carriers from the backside. McGuire has a high football IQ and a radar for the football. Over the past two seasons, he showcased an ability to blow up plays behind the line of scrimmage with 28 tackles for loss.
“He has 23 run stuffs over the past two years and I believe he’s a much better run defender than pass rusher,” Edwards said. “ He has really good eyes, good hands, and seems to thoroughly enjoy knocking down runners. His average yards gained per tackle made over the past two years is 1.5, meaning if he gets his hands on a guy that dude typically isn’t even getting two yards.”
As a pass rusher, McGuire doesn’t have a ton of juice off the edge. The Missouri edge rusher wins with his power and length. He’s able to forklift offensive tackles. He uses his length to get into the offensive tackles and keeps his legs driving to drive them back into the lap of the quarterback. McGuire uses his strong hands to push-pull blockers. According to Pro Football Focus, McGuire recorded 72 pressures over the past two seasons.
“I love McGuire but if you need an effective pass rusher he isn’t your guy,” Edwards said. “He generated quarterback pressures on 11.1% of his pass-rushing attempts which is fine, but certainly not an indicator of elite pass-rushing talent. As mentioned previously, his skills as a pass rusher are the fact that he’s relentless and is pretty good at chasing down quarterbacks who have broken contain. He’s not going to bull rush his tackle or bend around the corner to get hands on the ball; instead, he’s going to engage, react, and win on the second move since he knows tendencies really well.”
Fit with the Packers
The Packers need to shore up their run defense and they need to inject some life into their pass rush. McGuire could help in both departments.
The Missouri edge rusher may not be the most explosive athlete, but he does have the ideal length and play strength that could help him serve as a solid rotational piece on the outside with the upside to develop into Rashan Gary’s future running mate.
ICYMI: My breakdown of defensive players at the Senior Bowl who the #Eagles could watch closely.
W/versatile alignment as a 4i and a wide 7, #Missouri EDGE Isaiah McGuire has powerful hands and desirable length that bench presses tackles routinely!
🔗: https://t.co/DdyNcvfKrc https://t.co/wNzsjGTXsN pic.twitter.com/X04NpuVuZ6
— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) January 26, 2023
“McGuire is a good dude,” Edwards said. “He’s a quiet leader. A guy who doesn’t get tired and will put in the work to know his opponent inside and out and be able to develop strategies to beat them. He’s a talented run defender who could do well in a 3-man defensive line or a 4-man defensive line. I’m not an NFL general manager, but drafting smart dudes who are versatile and relentless in their approach seems like a good idea to me.”
The Packers need to add an edge rusher or two this offseason. McGuire has a little Nick Perry to his game. He’s not a sudden or dynamic athlete. What he offers is length, power, and active hands. He’ll disrupt the run and collapse the pocket.
Gutekunst drafted Kinglsey “JJ” Engabare and Jonathan Garvin on day three of the draft. A pair of edge rushers that had good length and power, but lacked a certain juice coming off the edge. McGuire is cut from the same cloth. If he’s on the board when the Packers are on the clock, it would not be shocking to see Gutekunst select the Missouri edge rusher.
