Green Bay Packers: 3 Potential Linebacker Prospects for 2021 NFL Draft

Here’s a breakdown of 3 linebackers that the Green Bay Packers could target in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, along with a few honorable mentions.

With Blake Martinez gone to the New York Giants, the Green Bay Packers are only returning Oren Burks, Ty Summers, and Curtis Bolton at inside linebacker. All three are young players who have not yet contributed much on defense, so as a result, the Packers added Christian Kirksey in free agency, Kamal Martin in the fifth round of the draft, and UDFA Krys Barnes.

The Green Bay Packers have typically rostered four off-ball linebackers, so preseason competition will be fierce. Kirksey will be asked to lead the defense, but he’s struggled to stay healthy in the past, and when on the field he’s been just average.

Oren Burks is the early favorite to start next to Kirksey, but he hasn’t made much of an impact yet. Raven Greene will likely see some linebacker snaps in nickel and dime situations as well, but he wasn’t very impressive in his two appearances in 2019.

Meanwhile, Summers, Bolton, Martin, and Barnes will all be competing for roster spots. In short, there isn’t much to like in the Green Bay Packers off-ball linebacker group in 2020. The position will be addressed in the 2021 offseason and potentially in the draft.

Micah Parsons of Penn St has the potential to be a once in a generation talent, and the best defensive player in the 2021 draft class. He will likely be selected before the Packers make their first-round pick. After Parsons, however, there will still be plenty of depth at the linebacker position for Green Bay.