How good can Karl Brooks become?

[CaptainKickass]

Just read the following summary of Karl Brooks 2023 season and while I noticed his playmaking during some games, I didn't know the extent of it. Has he already reached his celling? Or, is there more out there for him to achieve? I'm not aware of his college performance in any way, nor his RAS. Has he been compared to any other players?


Despite being a late-round selection, Brooks made an immediate impact as a rookie. The 6-foot-3, 296-pound defensive lineman registered 20 tackles, four sacks, four passes defensed and two fumble recoveries on just 380 snaps.

In doing so, Brooks became the first Green Bay rookie to register four-plus sacks and multiple fumble recoveries in a season since linebacker Clay Matthews in 2009. Brooks also blocked a field goal on special teams.

Obviously I hope he can become more and build upon the success he's already had. If there's a Karl Brooks fan club or bandwagon, I'm aboard.

[run pMc]

My understanding is Brooks is an oddity, kind of a DL version of Mark Tauscher - not the best body, mysteriously productive. He's probably just got really good football IQ, and very good technique.
At Bowling Green they moved him around a bunch and he had very good productivity metrics. Was considered an EDGE rusher at close to 300 pounds, which is not normal.
Needs to play for creative DC that uses his talents, and a team willing to overlook what some consider his below average (for NFL) athleticism and small school background.

PFF loved him in college.

I'm on his bandwagon as well. I think he's a guy who may never be a superstar, but will be a quality player who gets shit done and the national media overlooks.

[Joemailman]

As he is, he's a steal in the 6th round. His lack of elite athleticism could mean he has a fairly low ceiling. But at worst, he should be a valuable rotation player.

[MadtownPacker]

You’re saying this guy is gonna be the next Kampman? About the same size and round.

[call_me_ishmael]

He seems way thicker than Kampman if my memory is serving me correctly. This dude is a weird dude. Will be interesting to see what he becomes. Kinda like Mike Daniels in a sense.

I guess looking at pictures, he doesn't look that thick. I'm not sure I'm buying the 295 narrative.

[Joemailman]

Brooks weighed 303 at the combine. Packers have him listed at 296. Possible he has continued to slim down some.

[CaptainKickass]

I finally dug up Karl Brooks RAS, but I found two


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FsJiwZ-XsAUYtWe?format=jpg&name=small

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fu6AA5UXoAA3t8G?format=jpg&name=small


These 2023 Highlights are totally worth clicking through the NFL Block to watch on YouTube - just like Karl busting through an offensive line into the backfield:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3agS3mMO_0


And for the readers out there:

Click here for an obviously biased yet thorough article (https://zonecoverage.com/2023/packers/karl-brooks-might-be-green-bays-best-value-pick/)


The more I dug the more it seems Karl is less an athlete and more of a throwback type of guy who is "just a football player". Like the old, ugly, country strong types who used to be preferred linemen in the trenches before the pro game became hyper focused on specific athletic profiles.

I don't really follow the college game so is it common for there to be a difference in the college RAS vs the pro? The difference doesn't seem like much but you tell me

[RashanGary]

My understanding is Brooks is an oddity, kind of a DL version of Mark Tauscher - not the best body, mysteriously productive. He's probably just got really good football IQ, and very good technique.
At Bowling Green they moved him around a bunch and he had very good productivity metrics. Was considered an EDGE rusher at close to 300 pounds, which is not normal.
Needs to play for creative DC that uses his talents, and a team willing to overlook what some consider his below average (for NFL) athleticism and small school background.

PFF loved him in college.

I'm on his bandwagon as well. I think he's a guy who may never be a superstar, but will be a quality player who gets shit done and the national media overlooks.

Mike Wahle was on the sports radio show here in Green Bay a couple months ago and he said Tauscher was the only guy he’s ever seen to get beat with hands every snap and still win every snap. Said Tausch was insanely strong.

[Teamcheez1]

Is he good enough to replace Kenny Clark?

[Fritz]

Mike Wahle was on the sports radio show here in Green Bay a couple months ago and he said Tauscher was the only guy he’s ever seen to get beat with hands every snap and still win every snap. Said Tausch was insanely strong.

Off topic for this thread but I listened to Mike Wahle's podcast on the rookie offensive linemen the Packers drafted this year, and I thought Wahle was quite thorough and knowledgeable and bold in his predictions. Seems pretty blunt, too. Said Jordan Morgan will be fine but his mechanics are a mess and it'll probably take him a good part of the season just to get those right - he's not really ready to step in and be a day-one guy. But he likes the skill set and attitude.

He really, really liked the center, Monk. He thinks that Monk is next year's starting center, period.

So even though defensive line is not his specific area of expertise, I'd be curious as to what he'd say about Brooks.

Brooks was very noticeable in the games I watched - and in a good way. Plus I like his pedestrian name - he sounds like a guy who should be playing for the Baltimore Colts in 1963 or something.

[CaptainKickass]

Karl Motherfuckin' Brooks with the game winning blocked field goal kick!



https://media.makeameme.org/created/yeah-thats-right-5bf850.jpg

[CaptainKickass]

https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_editorial_landscape_12_desktop/f_auto/packers/lzz6wsw316khzvl7lss0.jpg

Story at team website (https://www.packers.com/news/packers-dl-karl-brooks-named-nfc-special-teams-player-of-the-week-11-2024)


Packers defensive lineman Karl Brooks has been named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for Week 11.

It's the first time the Packers have won the NFC weekly award for special teams since Keisean Nixon was honored for his 105-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in a 41-17 win over the Minnesota Vikings during Week 17 of the 2022 season.