Blake Martinez left the Packers in free agency, leaving a hole at the linebacker spot in Green Bay. Here are 2020 NFL Draft prospects who could replace him.
Former Green Bay Packers linebacker Blake Martinez has signed a three year, $30 Million contract with the New York Giants. After losing their other starting inside linebacker, Jake Ryan, to the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2019, the Packers already had a massive hole at inside linebacker. Could they turn to the 2020 NFL Draft to target a young linebacker?
The Packers signed Browns linebacker Christian Kirksey, but still need another starting inside linebacker. For a team that has real super bowl aspirations, Oren Burks cannot be the starting inside linebacker.
The Packers will likely be recouping a compensatory pick for Martinez, but this does not necessarily mean he was a great player. Martinez was a two down, run stuffing linebacker. There is always room for players like that in the NFL, but they aren’t special. Martinez could not cover anyone out of the backfield or any tight ends. The Packers can use Martinez’s departure to find a linebacker who can make plays in both the run game or the pass game.
With the 30th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the perfect fit for what the Packers need will be long gone when Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons goes off the board in the top ten. There are options at pick thirty, as well as in the later rounds for the Green Bay Packers to replace Martinez.