Packers Linebackers - Do We Have Any Hidden Gems for 2018?

Every good defense needs a linebacker that is a difference make?  It has been years since we had one!  Do we have on ready to surprise the NFL?  Make big hits!  Make a key QB sack?  Intercept one and run it back for a TD?  Clay Matthews is probably past his prime! (Sure was in the Packer softball game!)

Here is the list.  Will they play outside or inside?  Time will tell for some of the new faces!

Clay Matthews - Year 10 - 6'3" - 255 lbs - USC
Nick Perry - Year 7 - 6'3" - 262 lbs - USC
Jake Ryan - Year 4 - 6'2" - 240 lbs - Michigan
Blake Martinez - Year 3 - 6'2" - 237 lbs - Stanford
Kyler Fackrell - Year 3 - 6'5" - 245 lbs - Utah State
Chris Odom - Year 2 - 6'4" - 262 lbs - Arkansa St
Vince Biegel - Year 2 - 6'3" - 246 lbs - Wisconsin
Reggie Gilbert - Year 1 - 6'3" - 246 lbs - Arizona
Ahmad Thomas - Year 1 - 6'0" - 220 lbs - Oklahoma
Oren Burks - Rookie - 6'3" - 233 lbs - Vanderbilt
Marcus Porter - Rookie - 6'0" - 229 lbs - Fairmont St
Kendall Donnerson - Rookie - 6'3" - 249 lbs - Southest Missouri
CJ Johnson - Rookie - 6'2"  - 226 lbs - Est Texs Baptist
Nashon Hughes - Rookie - 6'3" - 259 lbs - Texas
Parris Bennett - Rookie - 6'0" - 223 lbs - Syracuse
Greer Martini - Rookie - 6'3" - 232 lbs - Notre Dame

Last year starters  -  OLB's - Matthews & Perry  AND ILB's - Martinez & Ryan  As you may see above, we are very young & unproven!  For some reason, the Packer's hate drafting stud linebackers! Why?  Beats me!  Matthews, if he stays healthy, can be a difference maker!  But, he is like a race horse, lately, VERY injury prone!  If you go to a game just watch him - he is always moving!  He has not had double digit sacks in a long time!
Clay Matthews games played & sack totals:
2009 - 16 - 10
2010 - 15 - 13.5
2011 - 15 - 6
2012 - 12 - 13
2013 - 11 - 7.5
2014 - 16 - 11
2015 - 16 - 6.5
2016 - 12 - 5
2017 - 14 - 7.5

So, in 9 years time, Clay has had double digit sacks 4 times.  Last time was 2014.  Last two years, has not played entire season.  He has been moved to inside linebacker because of other injury issues!  Nick Perry stats - games played & sacks:
2012 - 6 - 2
2013 - 11 - 4
2014 - 15 - 3
2015 - 14 - 3.5
2016 - 14 - 11
2017 - 12 - 7
As one can see, Perry has NEVER played in all 16 games.  He had one double digit sack season in 2016, with 11 sacks.  So, what we have in Perry is an average linebacker, with average stats.  And, along with Matthews, injury prone!  So, what is behind the starters?  Good question!

2016 draft pick Fackrell, has not shown us very much!  2017 draft pick, Biegel was injured almost all last year.  IN FACT, Thompson drafted him hurt!

The "diamond in the rough" could be Reggie Gilbert.  Word from the coaches, they like his progress. He did get on the field last year and the end of a bad season & played OK.  My feelings, this kid MUST play & play well!!!  Another project, Chris Odom, at 6'4" - 262 lbs may be more of a defensive end type?  Ahmad Thomas at 6'0" - 220 lbs is by today's standards may be a little on the small side?

Inside backers last year - Blake Martinez & Jake Ryan.  Looks like Martinez is a player.  Last year Martinez was tied for first in total tackles 144!  DID YOU HEAR THAT - TIED FOR FIRST!!!  Now some of those were 10 yards down field, BUT is was a tackle!!!!  And, Martinez seems to have the speed to stay on the field for almost all downs!  Jake Ryan was 67th with 81 tackles.  With a lack of speed, Jake has trouble staying on the field, but is good against the run.  So, we need a play maker - did we draft one in the third round?  Oren Burks?

He is an interesting pick - first a team Captain from Vanderbilt.  Smart kid!  Versatile, started career as a safety & got bigger physically!  He is fast - should be able to cover backs out of the backfield!  Needs time, but listening to his interviews, looks like an over achiever!

Other rookies, need to really impress to make the 53!
Kendall Donnerson - Rookie - was drafted in round 7, has the advantage of being drafted
Others, need to take full advantage of pre-season!!!
Marcus Porter - Rookie - this is good - carries himself like a leader, who plays with a chip on his shoulder
CJ Johnson - Rookie - ankle & knee surgeries - uh oh!
Nashon Hughes - Rookie - a practice squad stash?
Parris Bennett - Rookie - have not had a Syracuse player in a long time!
Greer Martini - Rookie - I'd pick him on last name alone!

So, final analysis for defense?
Defensive Backs - young - could become VERY good!
Defensive Line - Is the Packer strength!
Linebackers - Uh - Oh!

NEED YOU DEFENSE!!!!!