Packers' Rashan Gary left off ESPN's top 10 edge-rushers list

The NFL offseason is known as "talking season" for a reason. A lot of different lists and rankings are thrown out in the hopes of creating discussion for fans and motivation for players. Rashan Gary will be the beneficiary of some extra motivation as he and the Packers head toward the 2022 season. 

A recent ESPN rankings list, based off of answers from 50 NFL executives, coaches, scouts and players, does not have the name Rashan Gary in the top 10 for edge-rushers. It may be fair to say that's a bit of an oversight.

Gary is one of the best young edge-rushers in professional football. He has increased his numbers in each of his three career seasons in Green bay. He went from two sacks as a rookie in 2019 to five in 2020. He set another career-high with nine in 2021. 

Gary also went from three QB hits as a rookie in 2019 compared to 11 in 2020. Then, he more than doubled that output with 28 in 2021. Gary went from recording five QB pressures as a rookie to recording a whopping 47 in 2021. The former Michigan Wolverine has also improved each season in QB hurries, QB knockdowns, tackles for loss and games started. His growth has been steady and incredible. 

The Packers drafted Gary in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He was a "potential" draft pick. What that means is that Green Bay didn't need him to produce right away. The Packers wanted him to grow over time, and he has done exactly that. 

He is now an elite edge-rusher as shown in Green Bay's loss vs. San Francisco in last season's divisional round. In that game, Gary recorded two sacks, three tackles for loss and three QB hits. It is definitely fair to expect the New Jersey native to be in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation in 2022 and beyond.