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Green Bay Packers: Pros, cons and predictions for Oren Burks

By Mike Wendlandt

OXFORD, MS - SEPTEMBER 26: Chad Kelly #10 of the Mississippi Rebels avoids a tackle by Oren Burks #20 of the Vanderbilt Commodores during the fourth quarter of a game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 26, 2015 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
OXFORD, MS - SEPTEMBER 26: Chad Kelly #10 of the Mississippi Rebels avoids a tackle by Oren Burks #20 of the Vanderbilt Commodores during the fourth quarter of a game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 26, 2015 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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OXFORD, MS – SEPTEMBER 26: Chad Kelly #10 of the Mississippi Rebels avoids a tackle by Oren Burks #20 of the Vanderbilt Commodores during the fourth quarter of a game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 26, 2015 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
OXFORD, MS – SEPTEMBER 26: Chad Kelly #10 of the Mississippi Rebels avoids a tackle by Oren Burks #20 of the Vanderbilt Commodores during the fourth quarter of a game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 26, 2015 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst wasn’t done dealing, trading back into the third round to select linebacker Oren Burks out of Vanderbilt.

Continuing to wheel and deal, Green Bay Packers‘ general manager Brian Gutekunst used two his nine picks on Saturday to move back into the third round of the Draft to select another defensive player. Linebacker Oren Burks, picked 88th overall, will now step into the locker room and continue the trend of adding speed and natural athleticism to a defense that desperately needed it.

The multi-position standout started as a safety for the Commodores before finding his role as an inside linebacker during his final season, he showed no reason why he couldn’t stick in the front seven, taking on lineman without fear and making 80 tackles as a senior. He should be able to step in and fill the role left behind by Joe Thomas in coverage while also being a key special teamer.

Burks also comes with extremely high character traits as well, being named to the 2016 Allstate-AFCA Good Works Team for his work off the field. A two-time captain, he can lead on the field, which could be key as a middle linebacker. If he steps into the passing down role, he may have to take the green dot helmet to be the main communicator. He’s got the experience and knowledge of multiple positions to do it.

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of Oren Burks and see where he fits in and what he may do his rookie year. For more on Burks, check out Brandon Carwile’s analysis of the pick here.

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