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Green Bay Packers: Grades for each draft pick halfway through the preseason

By Brandon Carwile

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: The Green Bay Packers logo is seen on a video board during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: The Green Bay Packers logo is seen on a video board during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT /
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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) /

3. LB Oren Burks

Grade- A-

Burks was forced to start in replace of the injured Jake Ryan, but so far its been hard to notice. The late third-round pick leads the team this preseason with 12 tackles, 11 of them solo.

Clearly, Burks is more athletic than Ryan and his impact in the run game was felt against the Steelers. He shot through the backfield to stop running back Fitzgerald Toussaint for a three-yard loss. Ryan, primarily known as a run-stopper, would have a tough time standing out in comparison to Burks’ explosiveness.

The moment doesn’t appear too big for Burks as he’s arguably been the most impressive Packers rookie to date. There’s no reason to believe he won’t start beside Blake Martinez in the base defense Week one.

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