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Green Bay Packers: Predicting their 2018 award winners

By Mike Wendlandt

GREEN BAY, WI - JANUARY 8: Two F-18 fighter jets fly over the stadium during the national anthem before the NFC Wild Card game between the Green Bay Packers and the New York Giants at Lambeau Field on January 8, 2017 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI - JANUARY 8: Two F-18 fighter jets fly over the stadium during the national anthem before the NFC Wild Card game between the Green Bay Packers and the New York Giants at Lambeau Field on January 8, 2017 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/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) /

ILB Oren Burks

Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson are the more hyped prospects and may be in the biggest position to make a flashy impact early on, but Burks is right on that level. The third round pick out of Vanderbilt was expected to be a coverage linebacker while seeing extensive special teams snaps as a rookie, but that plan has been flipped on its head with the injury to Jake Ryan. Now, Burks is expected to be the starter alongside Blake Martinez in the middle of Mike Pettine’s defense.

And Burks looked good in his first game action against Tennessee. Granted, it’s only preseason, but the rangy linebacker did not look out of place against the starting Titan offense. He ended up leading the team with six tackles while playing the most snaps of any defender. His athleticism and ability to grasp the defense so early in his pro career lead him to a starting job and the formulation of a long-term pairing with Martinez. Oh, and he becomes the Packers Rookie of the Year.

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