The Most Important Packers: No. 17 — Devonte Wyatt
Key Takeaways
Packers defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt was second on the team in sacks (5.0), quarterback hits (9.0) and tackles for loss (9.0) last season.
Article Overview
Quick insights and key information
6 min read
Estimated completion
business news
Article classification
July 6, 2025
10:45 AM
Forbes
Original publisher
SportsMoneyThe Most Important Packers: No. 17 — Devonte WyattByRob Reischel, Contributor
Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights
Rob Reischel is a Wisconsin-based reporter who covers the NFL
AuthorJul 06, 2025, 10:45am EDTGreen Bay Packers defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt is hoping for a big season
Getty Images The Green Bay Packers went 11-6 last season, sweeping the NFC West and the AFC South along the way
Overall, though, no one in the building was happy
The Packers failed to build on their terrific finish to the 2023 campaign, settled for the No. 7 seed in the NFC playoffs, and lost a Wild Card game to eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia
Afterwards, general manager Brian Gutekunst turned up the heat on everybody in the building. “We need to continue to ramp up our sense of urgency,” Gutekunst said. “I think it’s time we started competing for championships. ” Those are fair expectations
The Packers return 20 of 22 starters, and appear to have upgraded the roster via free agency and the draft
With several third and fourth year players upward, Green Bay should be poised to make a move. “I think they’re ready,” Gutekunst said
Now, it’s time for the Packers to ve their G
MORE FOR YOU Green Bay’s first training camp practice is July 23
Between now and then I will count down the ‘30 Most Important Packers’ heading into the 2025 campaign. 17 is defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt. 17 Devonte Wyatt, DT Last season Wyatt was second on the team in sacks (5. 0), quarterback hits (9. 0) and tackles for loss (9. 0) last season, despite missing three games with an ankle injury
He also had two fumble recoveries
Wyatt had three sacks, five quarterback hits and a fumble recovery in the first four games
Then he missed Weeks 5-7 and never had the same impact after returning on Oct
Career to date Wyatt was a first round draft pick in 2022 who spent the first three months of his rookie season primarily watching
In fact, after 13 games in 2022, Wyatt had just three pressures, no sacks and no quarterback hits
Wyatt’s final four games — in which he had five pressures, 1. 5 sacks and three quarterback hits — gave the Packers hope that his potential could eventually lead to duction
So Green Bay let starters Dean Lowry and Jarran Reed walk in free agency and increased Wyatt’s role
In 2023, Wyatt began ving why he was a first round draft pick, posting 36 tackles (18 solo), 5. 5 sacks, six tackles for a loss, 11 quarterback hits and a fumble recovery
Wyatt played 49. 7% of the defensive snaps that season, tied for fourth on the team in tackles for loss and ranked fourth on the team in sacks and quarterback hits
The 6-foot-3, 304-pound Wyatt had just one elite season at Georgia
That came in 2021 when Wyatt had 39 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 2. 5 sacks and two forced fumbles in 14 starts on a Bulldogs team that won the national championship
Wyatt, who began his career at Hutchinson Community College before transferring to Georgia, then went to the 2022 NFL Combine and ran the 40-yard dash in a blistering 4. 77 seconds — one of the fastest times by a defensive lineman
Physical gifts have never been an issue for Wyatt, though
He scored an 8 on the 50-question Wonderlic test before the 2022 draft, less than half the NFL average of 19. “That’s a big deal
Don’t kid yourself,” one NFL scout told me low Wonderlic scores. “Now some guys can overcome those scores
But a lot of times when guys bust, you go back and look and sure enough, that Wonderlic score was low. ” Wyatt was also arrested in 2020 for three misdemeanor charges — family violence, criminal trespass, and damage to perty
While the charges were later dropped, there were several questions his character before the draft. “Obviously he had a couple hiccups there at Georgia,” Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said after drafting Wyatt
Outlook Wyatt played 33. 24% of the defensive snaps last year due to injury and a log jam up front
Slaton’s departure in free agency, Wyatt’s role should increase dramatically
The Packers picked up Wyatt’s fifth-year option in May, and his salary for 2026 will be $12. 938 million
Both sides would to get a long term deal done, though, making this a critical year for Wyatt
They Said It … “He’s a quick twitch-up, twitchy defensive lineman and a guy that can really explode off the football
So, that is a benefit of this style of system where you’re trying to, we’re more of a penetrating front as opposed to a read-and-react playing nique
You just want to try to create chaos and carnage in front of you by blowing up the man in front of you. ” — Packers coach Matt LaFleur on Wyatt “D-Wy was bably our most consistent pass rusher from the inside this year. ” — Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst on Wyatt after the 2024 season “I definitely do love the system we're in
I'm a lot more comfortable and I can move a lot faster
Just being aware of what's going on in the system. … Definitely playing in this system for this first year, it gives me an advantage for next year and being in this system again. ” — Wyatt on playing in the Packers’ 4-3 defense THE TOP 30 • No. 30 — RB MarShawn Lloyd • No. 29 — WR Dontayvion Wicks • No. 28 — S Javon Bullard • No. 27 — WR Savion Williams • No. 26 — LB Isaiah McDuffie • No. 25 — OL Jordan Morgan • No. 24 — WR Matthew Golden • No. 23 — CB Carrington Valentine • No. 22 — WR Romeo Doubs • No. 21 — QB Malik Willis N0. 20 — DE Lukas Van Ness • No. 19 — RG Sean Rhyan • No. 18 — LT Rasheed Walker Editorial StandardsRes & PermissionsLOADING PLAYER.
Related Articles
More insights from FinancialBooklet