Oren

Burks

The Bengals spent a second-round pick on Knight this offseason, and the rookie was penciled in as the team’s co-starter alongside LB Logan Wilson. The Bengals’ defense is already talent-deficient and EDGE Trey Hendrickson’s contract dispute has not yet been resolved. Bengals LB Oren Burks is Knight’s primary competition for the starting role and has had a strong camp. The injury could push the rookie into a backup role to begin the year.

Burks signed a one-year deal with the Eagles last offseason and saw the bulk of his regular season snaps on special teams. However, as NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport notes, Burks stepped into a starting role during the postseason and thrived. He totaled three TFLs, two forced fumbles, and one sack across three postseason starts plus a fourth appearance. The move to Cincy will give him a starting role for the first time in his career after filling depth roles for the Packers, 49ers, and Eagles.

The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reports Burks can earn up to $2.5 million on this deal. The six-year vet has spent the last two seasons with the 49ers, starting nine games on defense while playing on 482 defensive snaps. Used more as a special teams ace, Burks will most likely be more relied on for his special teams prowess next season, but is capable of starting in a pinch of needed.

Burks played four seasons with the Packers, serving as a spot starter and a special teams player. He’s a depth addition to San Francisco’s defense.

Burks received a second opinion Tuesday, which revealed the good news. There was some concern his injury could be a season-ender, though luckily that’s not the case. The Packers haven’t laid out a timeline for his recovery yet, though the team is confident he’ll avoid injured reserve. The 2018 third-rounder logged 23 tackles over 122 defensive snaps last season.

Penciled in as a starter alongside teammate Blake Martinez in the middle of the field, Burks’ absence will surely be felt despite Green Bay’s concerted effort to improve that position in the offseason. No. 226 overall pick Ty Summers will likely get the first nod over Curtis Bolton and Brady Shelton to fill the 2018 third-rounder’s shoes. It’s ultimately a huge setback as the Packers still lack depth on the second level of their defense, in particular up the middle.

Limited by a shoulder injury to start the year, Burks never earned a big role on defense as a rookie despite Green Bay’s massive need at inside linebacker. That hole has only grown bigger this offseason with Antonio Morrison waived and Jake Ryan now in Jacksonville, leaving Burks as the only real option opposite Blake Martinez. Considering the depth chart, the Packers need Burks to take that “big jump.”

Green Bay needs help at inside linebacker, but they do not want to rush the rookie. He should find his way into a starting job at some point this season.

Burks (6’3/233) was a four-year starter in the Commodores’ back seven, initially manning safety, moving to “star” (linebacker/safety hybrid) as a junior, and settling in at inside linebacker as a senior, all told recording 15.5 career tackles for loss and five interceptions. Burks’ stock soared at the Combine, testing as a 95th -percentile athlete with 4.59 speed and a quick three-cone time (6.82). Burks once would have been labeled a “tweener,” but the value of his style of play and versatility has grown in a pass-heavier NFL. He’s a sleeper to become a Mark Barron-level defender.

The Packers’ entire draft class is now under contract. Burks’ stock soared at the Combine, testing as a 95th -percentile athlete with 4.59 speed and a quick three-cone time (6.82). Burks once would have been labeled a “tweener,” but the value of his style of play and versatility has grown in a pass-heavier NFL. He’s a sleeper to become a Mark Barron-level defender.