Packers: Blake Martinez makes NFL top linebacker rankings

Honorable mentions

Blake Martinez (Green Bay Packers): Martinez was a breakout star last season. He has made a huge impact on the Packers run defense since he arrived in Green Bay, but he is also very talented in pass coverage. He will be a leader on the Packers defense for years to come.

Brandon Marshall (Denver Broncos): I feel like Marshall has regressed a tiny bit in recent seasons, but it is still absurd to say that he isn’t one of the top linebackers in the NFL. The Broncos have one of the best front sevens in the game and Marshall is a huge reason for that.

Reuben Foster (San Francisco 49ers): Foster had a excellent rookie season. It isn’t crazy to think that he will drastically improve in his second season, I believe that he has All-Pro potential.

Jamie Collins (Cleveland Browns): Collins isn’t quite the player in Cleveland that he was in New England, but he is certainly one of the reasons why I see the Cleveland Browns rebounding as a defense this year. I’m interested in seeing how Collins and Joe Schobert are used together over the next few seasons.

K.J. Wright (Seattle Seahawks): The Seattle Seahawks defense has gone through a lot of changes in recent months, but luckily for them their linebacking corps has actually improved. K.J. Wright and Bobby Wagner are obviously studs, and the addition of Shaquem Griffin will have a big impact on their defense.

Wright is an underrated player, who at the peak of Seattle’s talents got lost in the conversation of great names on their defense. I don’t think he’s reached his peak yet.