Green Bay Packers: 6 Big Questions for Defense Entering Training Camp

How good can this linebacker unit be?

For several years now, the linebacker unit has been considered one of the weaker points on this Green Bay Packers defense. But as we look at this year’s group, they could be set up well for success.

Returning are second-year players Krys Barnes and Kamal Martin. Barnes had been making impact plays over the course of the season, and by Week 15, he was the team’s Mike linebacker and wearing the green dot as the signs caller.

Martin often flashed as well, flying around the field, playing fast, and making plays at the line of scrimmage. He will need to play with better control in Year 2, but when it comes to players who could make a big jump in 2021, he should near the top of that list.

Both Barnes and Martin will still likely take some lumps as young players, and both will have to show that they can stay healthy after each battled injuries in 2020, so to help provide some depth and stability to the position, Green Bay would also add De’Vondre Campbell fairly recently.

Campbell is incredibly durable, rarely missing time during his career, and while he may not be spectacular in any one area, he is a well-rounded linebacker, solid against the run, as well as in coverage, and as a blitzer.

We also have to note that in this Joe Barry defense, the scheme does a much better job of keeping the linebackers clean, which should lead to more impact plays.

With all of that said, it’s not my expectation that this will be one of the better linebacker units in football; I’m not saying that at all. However, I do believe that between the defensive system and the personnel, they can be more productive than what they have been in recent years.