Dairyland Express
Fansided

Green Bay Packers: Which positions need more depth?

By Brandon Carwile

LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 19: Outside linebacker Clay Matthews #52 of the Green Bay Packers looks on in warmups before playing the Washington Redskins during a preseason game at FedExField on August 19, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 19: Outside linebacker Clay Matthews #52 of the Green Bay Packers looks on in warmups before playing the Washington Redskins during a preseason game at FedExField on August 19, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
ARLINGTON, TX – OCTOBER 08: Blake Martinez #50 of the Green Bay Packers tries to stop Jason Witten #82 of the Dallas Cowboys in the first quarter of a football game at AT&T Stadium on October 8, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – OCTOBER 08: Blake Martinez #50 of the Green Bay Packers tries to stop Jason Witten #82 of the Dallas Cowboys in the first quarter of a football game at AT&T Stadium on October 8, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

3. Inside Linebacker.

Current depth chart: Blake Martinez, Jake Ryan, Oren Burks

Packers safeties Josh Jones and Kentrell Brice will occasionally slide into the middle of the box for run support, but the guys listed above will be the ones fighting off a majority of the blocks. Martinez has emerged as a force against the run while also being able to hold his own dropping back in coverage.

More from Green Bay Packers

Jake Ryan is much more one-dimensional given his limited athleticism. He’s entering the final year of his rookie contract and likely won’t be re-signed if rookie Oren Burks proves to be a future starter. Burks brings more versatility with experience playing safety at Vanderbilt. His combine numbers were also better than Ryan’s, edging him in the three-cone drill, 20-yard shuttle, and 40-yard dash.

If Green Bay is looking to add a veteran, the Philadelphia Eagles released six-year veteran Mychal Kendricks. Kendricks has been a starter since his rookie season totaling six career forced fumbles, 14 sacks, and 338 tackles.

The Packers have the cap room to add one or two more veterans into the mix should they see it necessary.

Home/Green Bay Packers