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Green Bay Packers: Re-grading their 2018 NFL Draft Class

By Brian Sampson

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A video board displays an image of Jaire Alexander of Louisville after he was picked #18 overall by the Green Bay Packers during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A video board displays an image of Jaire Alexander of Louisville after he was picked #18 overall by the Green Bay Packers during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/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) /

Oren Burks, ILB (Round 3, 88th overall): D+

The Packers got very little production from their fourth and third round picks in 2018 and it hurt the team in key areas. Burks, a hybrid linebacker/safety was drafted with one purpose in mind: To cover tight ends and running backs in the passing game.

Burks has a good combination of speed and physicality that theoretically allows him to play inside linebacker and provide the needed support in the passing game. That’s the player Green Bay has been looking for for a while.

Unfortunately, Burks struggled with injuries and was never really able to earn playing time on defense. He was a regular special teams contributor which saves his grade from being any lower. Still, the Packers have a need for him to step up and play in their base, nickel, or dime packages. Let’s see if he’s up to the challenge in Year 2.

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