Packers 53-man roster predictions ahead of training camp 2019
Linebackers (9)
Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith, Blake Martinez, Rashan Gary, Kyler Fackrell, Kendall Donnerson, Reggie Gilbert, Oren Burks, Ty Summers
It’s difficult not to be excited looking at the Packers’ new talent at linebacker. The trio of Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith, and Rashan Gary can transform the Packers’ pass rush into one of the league’s best, with Kyler Fackrell offering excellent depth coming off a 10.5-sack season.
Last year, Green Bay’s defense was able to get sacks despite the fact Fackrell was the only edge rusher to get over five sacks. Now imagine the potential of the pass rush with the new additions to the defense.
Blake Martinez will again lead the way in the middle of the defense, but a player to watch is Oren Burks, a third-round pick last year. Martinez had high praise for his teammate:
#Packers LB Blake Martinez said second-year LB Oren Burks has "made the biggest improvement" out of anyone on the defense. "It's been awesome to see."
— Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) June 13, 2019
Depth was perhaps the biggest concern at inside linebacker at the beginning of the offseason, especially after the team decided not to re-sign Jake Ryan. But Burks looks to have made a good start to the summer, and the Packers also brought in Ty Summers on the final day of the draft.
Potential is the best word to describe the Packers’ linebackers. This is the most talented group Green Bay has had at linebacker in many years. Can the defense now take the next step?