Dallas shipped Micah Parsons to Green Bay for Kenny Clark plus two first-round picks, and Parsons’ four-year, $188 million pact makes him the richest non-quarterback in NFL history. Green Bay aims to elevate its edge pressure with Rashan Gary, Lukas Van Ness, Kingsley Enagbare and Barryn Sorrell, while Dallas beds in Dante Fowler Jr., Marshawn Kneeland and Sam Williams to soften the hit on the front seven.

The Week 4 rematch between the Packers and Cowboys will be a litmus test for both defenses and fantasy rosters, as sacks, game plans and depth charts shift around the league’s most dynamic pass rushers. Cap hits and replacement roles loom large for both franchises as the saga reshapes who fantasy managers target in early-season lineups.

The Packers’ 2025 preseason spotlight shone on Kingsley Enagbare, Ty'Ron Hopper, Jordan Morgan, Kristian Welch, Matthew Golden, and the kicking/punting duo of Brandon McManus and Daniel Whelan, plus notable depth drag from Karl Brooks. Enagbare anchored the edge with four pressures and a sack across 54 snaps, Hopper piled up 13 tackles with two fourth-down stops, Morgan impressed in pass protection, Welch locked in as a versatile veteran; Golden flashed big-play potential with a 39-yard contested grab and a third-down conversion. With Love sidelined by a left-thumb surgery, green Bay still gave starters looks in the opener and finale, showcasing a deeper, competitive roster for 2025.

Golden’s limited route work pointed to rapid development and upside as a rookie, while Enagbare’s disruptive presence and Hopper’s growth hint at a sturdier defensive backbone. Morgan’s smooth pass-protection and Welch’s special-teams versatility reinforce a robust depth framework, and McManus/Whelan continued to stabilize kicking and punting duties. The result is a Packers team entering 2025 with clearer depth signals and multiple players positioned for meaningful snaps.

All told, the exhibition slate offered a clear blueprint: a deeper, more competitive squad with several rookies ready to contribute and veterans ready to anchor the units. Fantasy managers should track these names as the regular season nears, especially young playmakers who could seize expanded roles with strong showings in practice and early games.

Green Bay opened the 2025 preseason with a 30-10 loss to the Jets, and the night offered real fantasy intrigue beyond the box score. Five Packers standouts flashed in limited action, underscoring depth and potential in a crowded roster. Kristian Welch sprinted from special teams to defense, piling up a game‑high nine tackles and a clutch fourth‑down stop that kept the Jets off the field. Kingsley Enagbare was active at the edge, finishing with five tackles, a TFL and a QB hit, signaling a productive final year of his rookie deal. Barryn Sorrell looked like a Day 3 hit, winning a pressure sequence and flashing inside rush potential. Colby Wooden anchored the run defense with solid penetration and six tackles, plus a pass break. Amar Johnson supplied Green Bay’s lone bright spot on offense, ripping for 67 yards on seven carries and a 39‑yard TD dash. The result is preseason texture more than outcome, but the performances lay a blueprint for roster battles and fantasy monitoring as Green Bay heads toward next week’s Colts tilt.

The Green Bay Packers' defense faced challenges during the 2024 season as several players saw their performance decline in the latter half. Among them, safety Evan Williams started strong but struggled due to injuries, averaging just 58.3 PFF grade in his last seven games after beginning with an impressive 71.9. Similarly, Xavier McKinney's performance dipped, yet he remained one of the top defenders despite being targeted more often late in the season. Another player, Kingsley Enagbare, also experienced a drop in his PFF grade, reflecting a common trend of young players adjusting to longer seasons.

This week's waiver wire recommendations focus on defensive players who can help bolster fantasy teams during the playoffs.

Standout performers include Edgerrin Cooper from the Green Bay Packers, who has stepped up significantly after an injury, and Micah McFadden from the New York Giants, known for his tackle-heavy play.

Other notable mentions are Nik Bonitto from the Denver Broncos, who is making a strong case for Defensive Player of the Year, and Derek Stingley Jr. of the Houston Texans, who has been excelling in interceptions.