Green Bay Packers: Biggest remaining needs following 2019 NFL Draft
By Joe Kipp
2. Inside Linebacker
Even though the Packers drafted an inside linebacker in TCU’s Ty Summers, the roster is completely depleted of any experienced talent at the position – save for Blake Martinez. You’d have to think Green Bay has a long-term plan in place for replacing Martinez after next offseason when his rookie deal expires, but no one on the roster inspires confidence at the moment.
Oren Burks, drafted in the third round in 2018, failed to show any form of progress throughout his rookie season and was a huge liability in the run game. A former safety-turned-linebacker, Burks will need to put on a good 10 pounds before he makes any sort of impact as a run stopper.
Then there’s James Crawford, who played exclusively on special teams as an undrafted free agent in 2018. Crawford was a menace covering punts/kickoffs, but is far from being ready to be a rotational player on defense. Safety Josh Jones also played a role as a hybrid linebacker, but lacks the instincts and overall football acumen to be an impact player.
That leaves Summers, Green Bay’s seventh-round pick in 2019, as the last option currently on the roster. Summers is an athletic freak, but looks far from a finished product. I’d like to see the Packers bring in current free agent Zach Brown on a short-term deal. Brown was coached in Washington by current Packers’ inside linebackers coach Kirk Olivadotti.