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Green Bay Packers: 3 Positions To Target With First Round Draft Pick

By Brian Sampson

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 28: Linebacker Patrick Queen #8 of the LSU Tigers celebrates after sacking linebacker Kenneth Murray #9 of the Oklahoma Sooners during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 28: Linebacker Patrick Queen #8 of the LSU Tigers celebrates after sacking linebacker Kenneth Murray #9 of the Oklahoma Sooners during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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NORMAN, OK – SEPTEMBER 16: Linebacker Kenneth Murray #9 of the Oklahoma Sooners during the game against the Tulane Green Wave at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated Tulane 56-14. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /

3. Inside Linebacker

The writing was on the wall for a long time coming when it came to the Packers’ plan for inside linebacker this offseason. An emotional Blake Martinez knew it after they lost in the NFC Championship game and the team swiftly moved on from him this offseason.

Electing not to re-sign Martinez, Gutekunst went with a cheaper alternative in Kirksey. Kirksey only played in nine games total over the past two seasons, lowering his price tag and carrying an injury risk. When healthy, he can be just as talented as Martinez, if not more so.

However, Green Bay still needs to address middle linebacker in the draft both for a long-term plan and as insurance in case Kirskey’s injury trend continues for a third straight year. If Kenneth Murray or Patrick Queen somehow fall to the Packers at number 30, it would make for an easy decision for Gutekunst. Both players are extremely talented and project as long-term fits in the middle of their defense.

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