Packers 2020 pre-draft preview: Inside linebacker a priority

Kenneth Murray (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
Kenneth Murray (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Inside linebacker should be a priority in the draft.

Another draft with inside linebacker near the top of the to-do list.

Based on their recent draft history, the Green Bay Packers haven’t considered inside linebacker a premium position, which explains their lack of high draft picks at the position.

Will that change this year?

Free agency recap

Green Bay’s top two inside linebackers from last season — Blake Martinez and B.J. Goodson — signed elsewhere in free agency. This was to be expected.

The Packers signed Christian Kirksey just before free agency began. He had been released by the Cleveland Browns.

Despite the reported interest, the Packers missed out on the top inside linebackers, including Cory Littleton, who signed with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Need in the draft?

High.

Kirksey’s injury history is a real concern, although if healthy he’ll be a good addition to Mike Pettine’s defense.

For the Packers, it’s the same old story at inside linebacker. Martinez provided some solid play in the middle of the defense but Green Bay doesn’t have a difference-maker at the position. That will only change if Brian Gutekunst makes it a priority in the draft.

Draft outlook

There could be an opportunity in the first round to find an upgrade. If Oklahoma’s Kenneth Murray or LSU’s Patrick Queen is available at No. 30 overall, it might be difficult for Gutekunst to pass up the opportunity to draft one of them.

Both players could be Day 1 starters in this defense. Along with the Kirksey signing, the Packers would be well set at inside linebacker.

But it’s also possible both Murray and Queen could be gone by the time the Packers pick first. This could open up the possibility of Gutekunst trading up.

The fact is, Green Bay needs to make inside linebacker a priority early in the draft. If Gutekunst waits until the fourth round or later, he’ll risk the Packers facing the same problems as ever in the middle of the defense.