Krys Barnes really came out of nowhere last season as a UDFA and was wearing the green dot on defense by the end of the year.
Barnes is a very reliable tackler, finishing with a top-20 grade among linebackers by PFF’s metrics and he’s strong against the run.
While there is certainly room for improvement, and Barnes’ overall PFF grade reflects that, there’s a lot to like about his skill-set as well.
Martin finished his rookie season with four pressures and a sack over 208 snaps with 41 total tackles, including three for a loss.
He plays the game uber-aggressive, flying around the field looking to make the big play–especially against the run.
If he can play with a bit more control, it’s going to lead to more opportunities to impact the game.
While he isn’t spectacular in any one area, he has good size and athleticism and is an all-around solid player as a run defender, blitzer, and in coverage.
“Even suggesting this will drive Packers fans nuts, but the Staley system doesn’t require an amazing set of inside linebackers.
Once again, the key to a great Green Bay defense doesn’t necessarily mean a great “man in the middle.” The Staley/Fangio scheme does an excellent job of keeping the linebackers clean because of the alignment of the front five.
In writing this article, there’s obviously some speculation on my part.