Unpacking Future Packers: No. 72, Texas A&M DL Shemar Turner
The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2025 NFL draft.
The Green Bay Packers and every other team in the NFL just witnessed the Philadelphia Eagles' relentless pass rush make one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time look like Jordan Rodgers.
A year after having a pass rush run hot and cold, mostly cold, Brian Gutekunst may be looking to kickstart Green Bay's pass rush by adding more talent to the mix.
The play of the defensive line this past season was so disappointing that they gave defensive line coach Jason Rebrovich his walking papers and replaced him with DeMarcus Covington, who served as the New England Patriots defensive coordinator this past season.
Kenny Clark had the worst season of his career since being drafted in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Devonte Wyatt led the interior group with five sacks and it's a coin toss on whether or not the former first-round pick will earn a second contract with the Packers.
A player that Gutekunst could target to bolster the interior of Green Bay's defensive line is Shemar Turner. The Texas A&M defensive tackle checks in at No. 72 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.
A four-star recruit, Turner recorded two tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks during his first season on campus. The following season, Turner recorded five tackles for loss and a 0.5 sack. In 2023, he recorded 11 tackles for loss and six sacks.
This past season, Turner recorded a career-high 36 tackles and added six tackles for loss and two sacks.
'Turner was a huge part of the defense during his time with the Aggies,' Tony Catalina, the Texas A&M beat writer for the Austin American-Statesman said. 'He was a trusted piece in the middle of a talented defensive line who stood up well in the run game and an interior player that provided third-down pass rush as well.'
Turner offers position versatility and would give Hafley a player he could move around the defensive line.
The former four-star recruit shoots gaps with explosiveness. He's heavy-handed and is strong at the point of attack. He has a radar for the football and is quick to locate the ball carrier. The Aggie defensive tackle has the lateral quickness to chase ball carriers up and down the line of scrimmage. There are times when he can look like a bull in a China shop.
'He was excellent against the run and it was perhaps his biggest strength,' Catalina said. 'He had a quick first step and in a lot of cases was able to out-leverage and just out-skill the man in front of him. With more refinement and with the right system, there's no reason to believe he isn't capable of translating the same things to the NFL level.'
Turner has a quick first step and pounces out of his stance. He has an impressive bull rush and can cave the pocket. When he gets a lane he has amazing burst to the finish line. Over the last three seasons, Turner recorded 79 pressures.
'Turner's ability to pass rush is probably why he'll get drafted earlier than some think,' Catalina said. 'His rare size and strength, coupled with his ability to live in the backfield on all three downs is something any team can use.'
Fit with the Packers
The Packers may or may not pick up the fifth-year option for Wyatt. Clark's down season is alarming and the hope is that it was simply a blip on the radar. Karl Brooks brings value as a rotational piece.
With TJ Slaton set to hit free agency and the uncertainty surrounding Wyatt's future in Green Bay, the Packers need an infusion of talent.
Turner is likely going to wind up being a Day 2 pick or an early Day 3 pick.
With his athleticism and power, Turner has the tools to be a gap disrupter and would give Green Bay's interior pass rush a much-needed shot in the arm.
'Turner has excellent athleticism, plays with good length and has the ability to win at the point of attack,' Catalina said. 'He's an interior player by trade, but his athletic ability allows NFL teams to get creative with him in different sports if they choose.'
Since taking over as general manager in 2018, Gutekunst has drafted three Texas A&M players. The Aggies boasted a talented defensive line this past season, and if Turner is on the board when the Packers are on the clock in the second or third round, his upside may be hard to pass up as the Packers look to build a dominant defensive line.
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