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Packers: Power ranking each position group ahead of training camp 2019

By Freddie Boston

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 02: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers passes during the second half of a game against the Arizona Cardinals at Lambeau Field on December 02, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 02: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers passes during the second half of a game against the Arizona Cardinals at Lambeau Field on December 02, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 28: Linebacker Blake Martinez #50 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after stopping the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 28, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

10. Inside linebacker

We’ll start with the good at inside linebacker. The Packers have Blake Martinez, who has been a tackling machine at the middle of the defense for the past two seasons, finishing in the top two for tackles in NFL in both 2017 and 2018. He’ll again play a huge role in Mike Pettine’s defense this year.

Martinez had high praise for teammate Oren Burks earlier this summer. The Packers will be hoping Burks can make a second-year jump and make a big impact on defense. He has the potential to do so, and Martinez and Burks could complement each other at the position.

But depth remains the biggest concern at inside linebacker moving forward. General manager Brian Gutekunst didn’t do much to address the position in the offseason outside of selecting Ty Summers in the seventh round of the draft. The Packers will be relying on their young players to step up and play an important role alongside Martinez.

If Burks continues to improve this season, and the Packers also get contributions from either Summers or James Crawford, they’ll be in good shape at inside linebacker. Mike Pettine may also decide to use an additional defensive back on the field often.

But there are still some big questions at linebacker.

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