Oren Burks

The Packers selected Burks in the third round in 2018 and were hoping he would immediately slot in as a coverage linebacker, but his progress was slow and an injury suffered during the preseason kept him out for Weeks 1 and 2. Burks was eased into action over the next few games, but he did not do enough to maintain a role in the defense, and was on the field for just 18 total snaps over the last eight games of the season. The Packers are hoping for "a big jump" from Burks in 2019, but a pectoral injury suffered in the first preseason game clouds his status for Week 1 and beyond.

It appeared Burks would mainly play a role on passing downs when the Packers selected him in the third round of April's draft, but with fellow LB Jake Ryan out for the year with a knee injury, Burks will be leaned on for far more. He is the favorite to start at inside linebacker alongside Blake Martinez.