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Green Bay Packers depth chart predictions following 2016 NFL Draft

By Freddie Boston

Jan 10, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) and inside linebacker Clay Matthews (52) walks to the field prior to their NFC Wild Card playoff football game against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) and inside linebacker Clay Matthews (52) walks to the field prior to their NFC Wild Card playoff football game against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Inside linebackers

Buck linebacker: Jake Ryan, Blake Martinez

Middle linebacker: Sam Barrington, Beniquez Brown

An area of need for the Packers entering the draft was at inside linebacker. There were opportunities to go after the position in free agency with Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman — both of whom signed with the Chicago Bears. Instead, the Packers opted for fourth-rounder Blake Martinez out of Stanford.

Martinez is an instinctive player described as a “thumper” in the middle, and he will have an opportunity to compete for a starting spot down the line even if not right away.

The immediate future belongs to Sam Barrington (who was lost for the season in Week 1 in 2015) and last year’s fourth-round draft choice Jake Ryan. The Packers have a solid starting tandem between the two in the base defense, and as a rookie Martinez will offer some important depth.

An intriguing name is undrafted free agent Beniquez Brown. Brown was considered a potential mid-round target for the Packers, but he wound up signing with them after the event had concluded. Brown is good in coverage and offers plenty as a run-and-chase linebacker.

Martinez and Brown have plenty of potential, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see one of the two eventually land a starting job.

Joe Thomas and Carl Bradford could be the odd men out here, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if either made the roster.

Next: Cornerbacks

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