Green Bay Packers 2019 roster preview: Blake Martinez

Blake Martinez has been a consistent part of the Green Bay Packers defense for multiple years, and he now enters an important season, the final one on his current contract.

After leading the way in tackles for the Green Bay Packers over the past two seasons, Blake Martinez has established himself as an important player in the middle of Mike Pettine’s defense.

In what should be a much improved defense overall for the Packers, can Martinez have his best season yet in 2019?

2018 stats

Martinez finished the 2018 season with 144 total tackles, which was second in the NFL behind Indianapolis Colts rookie linebacker Darius Leonard. Martinez also had five sacks, a career best.

2018 review

Martinez has improved each season, and it’s no surprise that he put up his best career numbers in his first season in Mike Pettine’s defense.

Not only did Martinez once again finish with the most tackles on the team, but he also contributed with more sacks, which should excite the Packers.

Odds of making roster: 100 percent

Not only is Martinez a roster lock, but he’ll also start all 16 games on defense, assuming he stays healthy.

What to expect in 2019?

This could very well be Martinez’s best season yet. This will be his second year working in Mike Pettine’s defense, so unlike the Packers offense, he won’t have to adjust to a new scheme. He will also be surrounded with more talent than in any other year in his NFL career, which should only make his job that much easier.

Also, this is the final year on Martinez’s contract, so a strong season will ensure he will have multiple teams interested in offering him a long-term deal next offseason, and could even result in the Packers offering him a deal before the end of the 2019 season.

Martinez will again be an important starter at inside linebacker. It won’t be a surprise if he not only finishes near the top of the league in tackles once again, but also if he puts together the best season of his career.