Green Bay Packers post-draft position review: Inside linebacker

Here’s our post-draft position review for the Green Bay Packers at inside linebacker.

Once again, the Green Bay Packers didn’t use a high draft pick at inside linebacker.

Do the Packers have enough depth at the position, or should’ve they brought in more talent either through free agency or the draft?

Here’s our position review following the draft.

Currently on the roster

Blake Martinez, Oren Burks, James Crawford, Ty Summers, Curtis Bolton, Brady Sheldon

Offseason moves

Outside of adding a couple of undrafted free agents, the Packers’ most notable move at inside linebacker was selecting Ty Summers in the seventh round. The team did lose Jake Ryan, who signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Improved from 2018?

That will depend on the play of second-year linebacker Oren Burks. Injuries didn’t help in his rookie season, but the Packers will be hoping Burks can make the second-year jump.

Key player

Blake Martinez.

Martinez has played such an important role in the middle of the Packers defense for the past three seasons. He hasn’t missed a game since his rookie season and has a total of 288 tackles over the past two years (exactly 144 in both seasons). An encouraging sign from 2018 — his first year in Mike Pettine’s defense — was that his sack numbers jumped up, with Martinez putting up a career-best five sacks.

Position outlook

Depth is the biggest concern at inside linebacker, although Josh Jones could spend more time at the position in 2019. An injury to Martinez could leave the Packers in a bit of trouble at the position, and they’d potentially need to sign a free agent.

Would the Packers have selected Devin White or Devin Bush had either player still been on the board at No. 12 in the draft?

But as long as Martinez is healthy, the Packers are fine. If Burks can improve in his second season and one of the young linebackers on the roster like Crawford or Summers can feature on defense and special teams, they’ll be in good shape.