5 breakout stars to watch for Green Bay Packers in 2020

3. Rashan Gary, edge

A defensive lineman in college, Rashan Gary has the ability to make a big impact as an edge defender in the Green Bay Packers defense next season. He had a quiet rookie campaign with only three tackles for loss and two sacks, but the No. 12 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft clearly has the physical tools to be a top player in the NFC North.

Gary won’t begin the season in the starting lineup since the Packers have two legitimate star edge defenders in 2019 free agent signings Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith. Both men were excellent in their first season in Green Bay, and both men will continue to be excellent in another peak year next season.

However, it isn’t out of the question for Gary to become a regular. Like Oren Burks, Gary is another ridiculous athlete on the defensive side of the ball, having run an even more mind-blowing 4.58 forty-yard dash at 6-foot-4, 277 pounds.

He’s clearly a special athlete who can make an impact in a variety of ways for the Packers defense. Edge defenders, like tight ends, need some time to develop into superstar players, so it’s not out of the question for Gary to make an explosive leap in his second year in the league. If he does, the Packers could have one of the NFL’s most brutal edge rushes, which would be a huge boon to their young and talented secondary.