2020 NFL Draft: Green Bay Packers top five first-round targets

Current ILB’s: Blake Martinez, B.J. Goodson

After the loss of Jake Ryan, Green Bay has been missing a second substantial inside linebacker to pair alongside Blake Martinez. The 3-4 system Green Bay operates out of relies on two quality inside linebackers to hold down the middle of the field and provide pass coverage underneath the secondary. Linebackers who can also help in run support behind the 3 interior defensive linemen are also welcome to the system.

The recent trend of middle linebackers who can cover substantial amounts of ground is one that has been a trade-off between range and run-support, but having a player who can match up against the likes of George Kittle and Travis Kelce is crucial to a defense’s success. Green Bay still has pieces in place to defend the run with their beefy defensive line, but need to slim down on the back-end to compete in man coverage against some of the power-houses of the NFC.

Murray is also capable of adding an occasional contribution in the pass-rush with his explosive burst off of the snap. At 6-foot-2, 234 pounds, Murray measures similarly to former sack-leader Shaquill Barrett. This undersized speed is perfect for getting to the edge and bending the corner on oversized, slow-footed tackles.

Green Bay could use someone of Murray’s skillset in the middle of their defense and a pairing with Blake Martinez would give a needed boost to this defense. As one of the most explosive linebackers, and players, in the 2020 NFL draft, Kenneth Murray will add a unique skill set to any team he joins.