Packers’ Newest Defensive End Dani Dennis-Sutton Could Be A Steal

Green Bay Packers general manager has shined in the fourth round, selecting players like Zach Tom, Evan Williams, Romeo Doubs and Colby Wooden.

Gutekunst might have found another gem on Saturday when he took Penn State defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton in the fourth round.

Dennis-Sutton is 6-foot-5, 265 pounds and was a highly productive, three-year starter for the traditionally powerful Nittany Lions.

Dennis-Sutton had 8.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss as a junior playing opposite of standout Abdul Carter, who went No. 3 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. With Carter playing for the New York Giants last season, Dennis-Sutton recorded 8.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss.

“I didn’t see much of a difference,” Packers Director of Player Personnel John Wojciechowski said of Dennis-Sutton’s production with and without Carter.

Dennis-Sutton then blew up at the NFL Combine, when he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.60 seconds and his marks in the broad jump (10-11) and 3-cone drill (6.90) were the best among all edge rushers.

“I mean, based off his college tape, he was already up there,” Wojciechowski said of Green Bay’s draft board. “And then he just reinforced it, you know, going through the spring workouts and everything else.”

Many scouts had Dennis-Sutton going in either round 2 or 3, so the Packers were thrilled to find him available midway through Round 4.

“For as productive as he was as a player in college, and his ability and he still has upside to go with it, yes, we were absolutely surprised,” Wojciechowski said.

While the Packers were happy to see Dennis-Sutton on their board, it was a long wait for their newest defensive end.

“Obviously, I think everybody’s disappointed if you don’t go right away or when you’re expecting to go,” Dennis-Sutton said. “I’m a confident guy, so I felt as though I’m the best and deserved to be one of the best. But things didn’t go that way, and now I just have an opportunity.

“My biggest thing is just give me an opportunity and now I have an opportunity to play in the NFL and got to a great organization and things like that. So for me, I can’t control it, just sort of keep on moving and taking the energy I have, any type of anger, whatever it may be into next week and moving forward and using it to my benefit.”

Dennis-Sutton was a five-star prospect by some scouting services coming out McDonough High School in Maryland.

He earned freshman all-American honors with the Nittany Lions when he had 3.0 sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss, three quarterback hurries and an interception. He became a part-time starter as a sophomore when he posted 3.5 sacks, six tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and 26 tackles. He was also named third-team all-Big Ten Conference by the coaches that season.

Dennis-Sutton then had highly productive seasons in 2024 and 2025 and finished sixth in Penn State history with 23.5 sacks and tied for fifth in school history with seven forced fumbles.

“It’s kind of interesting,” Wojciechowski said. “You know, players like that seem to just have a knack. I think for him, it’s, he’s able to defeat blocks. Again, it’s uncanny of how some of those guys just know where the ball is, and they attack it, whether it be with their fists or the helmet.”

Dennis-Sutton has been solid against the run, but Wojciechowski said his best trait currently is his pass rush ability. Some scouts question how much upside Dennis-Sutton has, though.

He can’t wait to show people.

“I love and I need football,” Dennis-Sutton said. “Football to me has always been an outlet. It’s been something for me to express who I am. Anybody who knows me, I’m very emotional and exciting guy, so football’s a way for me to express that and have fun.

“My favorite time of the day is when I’m going out to football practice and playing on Saturdays, which will now be Sundays, and going out there and making plays. Yeah, I live and breathe football. It’s something I’ve done since I was a little boy. I’m just excited now to do it for the Green Bay Packers.”