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Analyzing the opponent: Ranking NFC North Linebacker Groups

By Parker Hurley

Sep 19, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears inside linebacker Jerrell Freeman (50) reacts after making a tackle against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears inside linebacker Jerrell Freeman (50) reacts after making a tackle against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Who has the best Linebacker group in the division?

As we enter the dog days of the offseason it is time to turn our attention to the season coming. For this series, we will examine every position group in the NFC North and see where the Bears group of players fit in. This will include depth as well as top end talent. This should be a good exercise to see where the Bears stand in both depth and talent, then look back at the end of the season and see who exceeded or failed to meet expectations. For the first position, we will look at linebackers.

Dec 4, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Houston Texans running back Lamar Miller (26) tries to get past Green Bay Packers linebacker Jake Ryan (47) in the first quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Houston Texans running back Lamar Miller (26) tries to get past Green Bay Packers linebacker Jake Ryan (47) in the first quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Packers:

Jake Ryan, Blake Martinez, Jordan Tripp, Joe Thomas

The Packers are likely to scheme their way around this, but this group is lackluster. Ryan started 10 games last season and put up 81 tackles. He has 15 starts in the past two seasons but has been an average starter in the league at best in that time. Martinez started nine games last season and showed some upside and range as well. However, he is a bit limited and did suffer some injuries last season. Tripp and Thomas are low-end roster players with little upside to being NFL starters.

As mentioned, the Packers will likely scheme around this issue. Josh Jones was drafted as a safety, but early reports out of OTA’s are that he will play a lot in the box as a hybrid linebacker. Morgan Burnett can slide into the box as well, and Clay Matthews has been shifting inside and outside as well to help the depth. The Packers can find a way to avoid being better than a team like Detroit, but on paper, this is the least inspiring group.

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