Matt LaFleur challenges his defense ahead of 2022 season

The Green Bay Packers return one of the best defensive units in the National Football League. Their defense only got even more terrifying after they added the likes of former Georgia stars Quay Walker and Devonte Wyatt in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. That being said, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur knows his defense needs to improve in stopping the run and he challenged them in his recent press conference.

“Yeah, I think there’s some things that we’re doing a great job with. I mean, there’s a lot of areas for improvement. Like I mentioned the other day, one thing I kind of challenged our defense on is just with consistency with stopping the run. And I think they’ve done a pretty nice job of defending the pass and in particular, the deep balls. And not giving up a ton of big plays down the field. Especially, I’m talking more of the first group. I think, obviously, the second group and third group gave up some shots tonight,” LaFleur said following his team’s scrimmage in fall camp.

While the Packers’ front office surprisingly wanted to make their defense even stronger in the draft, football fans across the country were blown away by the fact they didn’t draft a wide receiver in the first round. It’s a massive, massive need for Green Bay heading into the 2022 season and they are still searching to see who can step up in the place of all their departed pass catchers.

LaFleur talks about a former Nebraska wide receiver who impressed on Friday night

There has been one rookie who has turned a few heads at training camp, Samori Toure. During the press conference following Friday night’s practice, LaFleur addressed the emergence of Toure and talked about what he’s seen from his young core of receivers thus far.

“Yeah, he’s done some nice things. I think he’s got really good body control and body movement; you know. He’s a smart kid that really works at it and all,” said LaFleur.

“Really all the rookies have done an outstanding job in that wide receiver room. You gotta give Jason Grable and as well as the veterans for kind of taking under their wing and doing a great job with those guys. So, they’ve shown a lot of flashes. It’ll be interesting to see what happens next week in San Francisco,” said LaFleur.

The Packers selected Toure out of Nebraska with the 258th overall selection in the seventh and final round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Toure led the Huskers last season with 898 receiving yards on 46 receptions, with five receiving touchdowns. He also added one rushing touchdown, seeing limited action as a ball-carrier for Nebraska.

The Packers lost their top two receivers from last season and had been struggling to find a consistent third receiver to help out in the passing game. This issue led to questions about Aaron Rodgers’ desire to stay in Green Bay following the 2021 season.

For now, the Packers’ young guns and Samori Toure in particular, look impressive. But how they perform when it counts, remains to be seen. As LaFleur pointed out, they will get that chance on Friday, Aug. 12 at 7:30 PM CT, when they travel to San Francisco to take on the 49ers.

On3’s Justin Rudolph also contributed to this article.