Sixth Round: Packers Select QB-Sacking Karl Brooks

The Green Bay Packers used a sixth-round pick on Karl Brooks, who will have to adapt to a new position.

Author:
Bill Huber
Updated:
Apr 29, 2023 4:14 PM EDT
Original:
Apr 29, 2023

In this story:

GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers took an interesting prospect with the first of their sixth-round picks, grabbing Bowling Green game-wrecker Karl Brooks.

Lining up on the edge at about 300 pounds, Brooks piled up 10 sacks and 18 tackles for losses while batting down four passes and forcing two fumbles in 2022. In 52 career games spread over five seasons, he recorded 27.5 sacks, 46 tackles for losses and six forced fumbles. He led the team in sacks all five years.

“There were times when he was a man among boys,” Packers director of football operations Milt Hendrickson said.

Hendrickson beat up on MAC offensive tackles. Now, he’ll be facing NFL blockers.

“That’s not to say that Joe (Barry) and his crew won’t do some different things with him, some different packages, but I think what he is able to do, it’s kind of like our offensive linemen,” Hendrickson said. “The guys who are versatile end up having more value and play more for us, and I think he presents the same sort of D-lineman from that sense.”

Brooks was a Scouting Combine snub. At pro day, he measured 6-foot-3 3/8 and 296 pounds. His 5.08 time in the 40 would have been dreadful for an edge rusher but should be just fine on the defensive line.

“I feel today was a good showing. I was fortunate enough to compete and put up good numbers, which I am happy about,” Brooks said at pro day. “I just want to see me compete and do the best I can, honestly. It’s been a great experience.”

From the aspect of Pro Football Focus’ analytics, it’s hard to put Brooks’ production into context with the rest of the defensive line class because he played on the edge. In fact, among edge defenders, he tied for seventh in PFF’s pass-rushing productivity, which measures sacks, hits and hurries per pass-rushing snap. His pass-rush win rate ranked fifth. His average tackle vs. the run came 1.1 yards downfield.

Brooks was invited to the prestigious Senior Bowl, where scouts from all the teams saw him play at his NFL projection of the defensive line.

“I called up (Bowling Green) in November when we were getting ready to invite Karl to our game and at the time he weighed 293,” Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy told The Athletic. “We mostly evaluated him as a 3-technique, but NFL teams will like that he can play multiple spots. He’s a big man with smaller-man movement, and that’s always a cool thing to write in the scouting report for a big defensive lineman. You pay road scouts to find 300-pounders who can move like Karl can because there just aren’t a lot of them.”

The Senior Bowl was a big moment that Brooks was eager to capitalize on.

“I’m a small-school kid from Bowling Green,” Brooks told The Draft Network. “I just wanted to prove myself at a higher level, against that Power 5 competition you referred to. That’s the best of the best college football has to offer.

“I’ve always had that chip on my shoulder, especially when I arrived in Mobile. Nobody thought I’d survive or make plays in that environment. It was a blessing to put my best foot forward. I think my skill-set was on full display.”

The Packers five six more picks to wrap up Day 3, with two choices in the sixth round and four more in the seventh.

Sixth round (No. 207): Pick acquired from Jets for Aaron Rodgers.

Seventh round (No. 232):

Seventh round (No. 235): Pick acquired from Rams as part of Corey Bojorquez trade

Seventh round (No. 242): Pick acquired from Jaguars for Cole Van Lanen

Seventh round (No. 256: Compensatory for Chandon Sullivan