Packers: Oren Burks could be vital piece for defense

Oren Burks was drafted in the third round by the Green Bay Packers after they traded two fourth-round picks to grab him. Through two preseason games, the initial returns look promising.

Burks has shown some impressive speed, quickness, and aggression from his middle linebacker position so far through two games. Burks led the team in tackles against the Titans in the first game with five, and then followed up that performance with some solid coverage play on special teams and four more tackles.

The Packers defense has been in need of speed from the linebacker position for years. Blake Martinez, while vastly improved in coverage and as a short-yardage run defender, doesn’t possess enough speed to stay with some of the faster tight ends of the NFL.

Burks played safety at Vanderbilt and has gained some considerable experience in coverage. The Packers will need that considering some of the pass-catching running backs the team will be facing this coming year within their own division.

The Bears have human joystick Tarik Cohen backing up Jordan Howard in their backfield. Dalvin Cook is among the league’s twitchiest running backs and will be a handful in the open field. The Lions will look to use rookie Kerryon Johnson as a receiving complement to LeGarrette Blount as well.

The Packers have been torched over and over by running backs leaking out of the backfield in the past. They simply cannot get their defense to a championship level unless they have a linebacker who can cover sideline to sideline.

Burks’ role in the defense will be complex. As Martinez handles the signal calling and primary ball carriers, the Packers will need Burks to supplement the defense with some consistent playmaking on defense. The Packers haven’t had anyone at the position with his speed since Nick Barnett some 600,000 years ago.

With an impressive performance so far from Josh Jackson and the raw talent of Jaire Alexander, the pass defense will undoubtedly be better than last year’s dumpster fire. But what the defense is in equal need of is a linebacker who can move with the fastest players on the opposition.

The Packers may have finally found that trait in Oren Burks.