Packers training camp: 5 Players who will turn heads in Green Bay

2. Christian Kirksey, LB

While the Packers were not nearly as aggressive in 2020 free agency as they were in the previous year, they did make a point to replace two players that they lost from their starting 22 last year. On offense, they signed right tackle Rick Wagner to replace Bryan Bulaga. For the defense, former Browns linebacker Christian Kirksey was signed to fill in for the departed Blake Martinez.

Kirksey’s biggest issue in his final years with Cleveland was health. He was a starter for the first two weeks of the season but then didn’t play again after that. Subsequently, him staying on the field, something that has been an issue for fellow linebacker Oren Burks to this point in his young career, will be the most critical aspect of his potential contributions.

Having said that, Kirksey has been a good player when he’s able to stay on the field. From 2015-17, he graded out as a top-half linebacker in the league according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), including coming in as the 29th best linebacker in the league in his second NFL season (2015).

Now healthy heading into Packers training camp and while reuniting with defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, who coached him in Cleveland, Kirksey should impress in practices. He’ll be a natural fit in the scheme and perhaps a better fit than Martinez ever was, despite the tackle numbers he put up. The big hope is that he can stay healthy long enough in the regular season to make an impact on the defense.