Packers: Power ranking NFC North by position groups

Inside linebackers

1. Vikings

The Vikings are dominant at inside linebacker with first-team All-Pro Eric Kendricks and four-time Pro Bowler Anthony Barr. They’ve also added Troy Dye in the fourth round of this year’s draft. Once again, the Vikings should have one of the best inside linebacker groups in the NFL.

2. Bears

Despite losing Nick Kwiatkoski in free agency, the Bears are still strong at inside linebacker with Roquan Smith and Danny Trevathan. In his first two seasons, Smith has made 222 tackles, seven sacks, seven pass defenses, and two interceptions. If this duo can stay heathy, the Bears have one of the strongest inside linebacker groups in the NFC North.

3. Lions

Inside linebacker was a concern for the Lions last season and they’ve made some offseason additions as a result, bringing in Jamie Collins and Reggie Ragland. Matt Patricia will be hoping that with these two and former first-round pick Jarrad Davis, the Lions can improve at inside linebacker.

4. Packers

The Packers also made some big changes at the position with Blake Martinez and B.J. Goodson departing, and Christian Kirksey signing in free agency. Rookie Kamal Martin impressed at training camp but then suffered a knee injury which could keep him out for a while. The Packers need Kirksey to stay healthy after not completing a 16-game season since 2017, but they’re also relying on Oren Burks and Ty Summers to make a jump.