5. Packers’ Second Inside Linebacker
Christian Kirksey replaced Blake Martinez as the Packers’ starting inside linebacker. Kirksey may present some bigger upside than Martinez did, but he’s also a bigger injury risk–playing in just nine total games the last two seasons combined.
Behind Kirksey is a bunch of unproven youngsters.
Oren Burks, a 2018 third-round pick, is perhaps the most exciting player in the group. He’s got good size (6-foot-3 and 233 pounds) as well as speed (a 4.59 second 40-yard dash). Unfortunately, he’s been plagued by pectoral and shoulder injuries throughout his career. He only played in six percent of the team’s defensive snaps last season due to injuries and a lack of impact.
Burks’ primary competition comes from Ty Summers (a 2019 7th round draft pick), Curtis Bolton and Kamal Martin (a 2020 fifth-round draft pick). All three players are unproven and huge question marks. However, someone will have to emerge as the primary backup to Kirksey.