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2020 NFL Draft: Ideal prospects for Packers to replace Blake Martinez

ByTimothy Rodriguez|
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 28: Linebacker Blake Martinez #50 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after stopping the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 28, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 28: Linebacker Blake Martinez #50 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after stopping the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 28, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 01: Defensive back Jeremy Chinn of Southern Illinois runs a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 29, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 01: Defensive back Jeremy Chinn of Southern Illinois runs a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 29, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Willie Gay Jr, LB, Mississippi State

Willie Gay plays every single play like his hair is on fire. His motor never turns off. A high ceiling and athletic ability gives Gay the ability to be a high impact player for the Green Bay Packers. In the run game, Willie Gay is a physical and powerful tackler who won’t bear any drop-off from losing Blake Martinez to the New York Giants. Explosiveness allows him to deliver powerful hits and he rarely misses a tackle in space.

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In coverage, Gay has the ability to use his athleticism as a weapon. This means that Gay is a player that can play on every down for a defense that sorely needs play-makers at the second level. Gay can play in every package for the Green Bay Packers and provide a cost-efficient play-maker as he Packers can nab him in the second round at pick 62 if they seek to replace Blake Martinez via the 2020 NFL Draft.

Jeremy Chinn, Safety, Southern-Illinois

Welcome to the modern age, Green Bay Packers. The Packers are an old school franchise with old school values. However, Matt Lafluer is a young head coach not afraid to think outside the box. Drafting Jeremy Chinn in the second round and playing him in the box full times requires having the courage of your convictions, and not being afraid to go against conventional wisdom. Chinn comes in as one of the most versatile players in the draft, and will serve as a chess piece for any team that drafts him.

While Chinn serves best as a traditional box safety, the Packers would be wise to experiment with him as a linebacker. Why have a linebacker play the early downs and then come off the field on passing downs when you can just put Jeremy Chinn on the box on every down. Chinn has shown the ability to cover running backs and tight ends. Chinn would serve as a weapon for a defense that had its ups and downs in 2019.

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