Green Bay Packers: 3 X-Factors on Defense in 2020
By Paul Bretl
Christian Kirksey
Free-agent signee Christian Kirksey makes this list due to injury concerns, a lack of depth at the inside linebacker position, and because if he regains his past form, he can be a difference-maker in the middle of this defense.
The past two seasons for Kirksey have been injury-riddled. Due to a hamstring injury in 2018 and a torn labrum in 2019, he would appear in only nine games for the Cleveland Browns during that span. However, before that point, he was a reliable tackler, someone who could fight off blocks, be sent on blitzes, and while not elite, he could hold his own in coverage.
Related Story. Kirksey Adds Much-Needed 'Versatility' to LB Position. light
This is the Christian Kirksey that the Green Bay Packers hope they are getting. If the 2016-2017 Kirksey is in Titletown this season, he is going to be an upgrade over Blake Martinez and give the middle of this defense some much-needed help against the run, while also giving them a linebacker that has plenty of experience working in space. Not to mention that his contract was much cheaper as well.
On the flip side, if Kirksey misses time once again, there are just a lot of youth and question marks at the linebacker position behind him on the depth chart.