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Packers select Blake Martinez in the 2016 NFL Draft, Round Four

With their 4th round pick (#131 overall) in the 2016 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers select Blake Martinez, ILB, Stanford

 

MEASURABLES/COMBINE

6'2" 237lbs, 4.71 Forty yard dash, 28.5" vertical, 6.98 3cone, 4.20 short shuttle, 22 reps bench press

CAREER NOTES:

In his first year as a starter in 2014, Martinez proved worthy of honorable mention All-Pac-12 honors by leading the Cardinal with 102 tackles, seven for loss, 4.5 sacks, and three interceptions. In Year 2, he played at an All-American level (third-team Associated Press, second-team USA Today) as the Cardinal won the conference championship, stuffing plays inside and moving to either sideline to rack up 141 tackles, 6.5 for loss. The 2015 first-team All-Conference pick again made plays against the pass this year, intercepting one pass and breaking up six others.

 

http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/blake-martinez?id=2555161 

 

SCOUTING REPORT:

CBS Rob Rang- STRENGTHS: Looks the part of an NFL linebacker with broad shoulders and an athletic, well-distributed frame. Highly aggressive run defender who attacks the line of scrimmage, showing no hesitation to take on blockers at the point of attack. Balanced, coordinated athlete who shows creativity in slipping under or spinning through would-be blocks. Generally reliable open-field tackler, lassoing ballcarriers with his long arms and strong hands. Possesses the agility and awareness to handle coverage responsibilities, showing light feet and fluidity when changing directions. Locates the ball quickly and accelerates smoothly.

WEAKNESSES: Isn't a classic thumper 3-4 inside linebacker who will consistently take on and shed blockers in the hole. A bit taller than ideal for the inside and has a tendency to get caught up in the trash. Too often catches ballcarriers and falls backward rather than driving through his target. Doesn't appear to possess the straight-line speed to beat backs to the edge or to handle deep seam responsibilities against NFL tight ends. Limited pass rusher, lacking the agility to elude blockers or the explosive power to bull rush through them.

COMMENTARY:

Blake Martiinez  fits in really nicely in the inside linebacker mix for the Packers. Martinez has experience playing in Stanford's 3-4 defense and has been incredibly productive. At 237 lbs and great change of direction ability he isn't the thumper that Jake Ryan is and fits more as the "chase linebacker". Martinez has great instincts and has displayed some abnility to cover. It wouldn't be surprising to see him push Joe Thomas for the starting Dime backer role and challenge either Sam Barrington or Jake Ryan for a starting spot in the base. Martinez was good value in the 4th round and the Packers have again addressed a need in the 2016 draft.

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Comments (35)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
Evan's picture

April 30, 2016 at 12:50 pm

Fwiw: "PFF: The highest 2015 coverage grade in among linebackers in this draft class belongs to Stanford's Blake Martinez, +10.9."

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RCPackerFan's picture

April 30, 2016 at 01:03 pm

Great instincts.

Hey, has your cheeseheadtv app been working?

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holmesmd's picture

April 30, 2016 at 01:23 pm

Hard to believe with 4.7 speed and stiff abrupt movement in coverage. I don't really see much upgrade here with this pick. I must confess that I did not watch much film on this kid but the stuff I did see wasn't all that great IMO.

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TKWorldWide's picture

April 30, 2016 at 12:50 pm

Yeah, baby!!

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EdsLaces's picture

April 30, 2016 at 12:50 pm

He's pretty legit. Not at all who I wanted but still a good player.

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Ibleedgreenmore's picture

April 30, 2016 at 12:52 pm

No doubt they are filling for needs, I could be wrong but this could be a very good draft by the time its done.

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TKWorldWide's picture

April 30, 2016 at 12:55 pm

Sub package coverage LB, sounds like.

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holmesmd's picture

April 30, 2016 at 01:21 pm

He's not even faster than Joe Thomas so I'm not sure how that will work?:/

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DrealynWilliams's picture

April 30, 2016 at 05:55 pm

Lol. I'll keep my other comment to myself, but this is so funny to me. I do agree.

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TKWorldWide's picture

May 01, 2016 at 12:37 pm

"Possesses the agility and awareness to handle coverage responsibilities, showing light feet and fluidity when changing directions"

There is more to coverage capability than a 40 time.

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RCPackerFan's picture

April 30, 2016 at 01:02 pm

I think this will be another really good pick.

Brings a lot of competition to the ILB spot. I think Matinez will be a 3 down ILB.

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WinUSA's picture

April 30, 2016 at 01:02 pm

TT HAS NAILED EVERY NEED... I TRUST THE MAN TO KNOW THEIR TALENTS. NOW LETS DO A FLYER ON HERR MO!!! :9). GO PACK!

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RCPackerFan's picture

April 30, 2016 at 01:06 pm

Thompson just drafts football players that fit.
He is doing a great job.

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dobber's picture

April 30, 2016 at 01:11 pm

Two picks left. They need to find a TE, but beyond that it's pretty open, yet. I wouldn't be surprised if they go OL or CB.

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MarkinMadison's picture

April 30, 2016 at 01:04 pm

Good deal. And a 6'6" DE with the next pick. Thanks Santa!

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RCPackerFan's picture

April 30, 2016 at 01:08 pm

I think this will be the first true 5 technique DE Thompson has taken.

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dobber's picture

April 30, 2016 at 01:05 pm

I honestly didn't think that TT would go for Brown based on his size. Martinez is a bigger guy, but not a real big guy. More athletic than Jake Ryan...

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holmesmd's picture

April 30, 2016 at 01:12 pm

Hopefully in r5?:/

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holmesmd's picture

April 30, 2016 at 01:19 pm

I don't care for either of these picks, sorry:/

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Rossonero's picture

April 30, 2016 at 02:06 pm

He'll make the roster with special teams contributions and will probably push Joe Thomas. Trust in the staff that they've done their homework on him.

I would've liked some other ILBs, but Martinez was the best one left. Coming from Stanford, I'd imagine he's smart enough to learn quickly and adapt to life in the NFL.

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sonomaca's picture

April 30, 2016 at 03:02 pm

More Pac-12 guys in Martinez and Davis. I predicted that the Packers would take a Cal skill position player as they had four really good ones.

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sonomaca's picture

April 30, 2016 at 03:06 pm

The Cal tight end Anderson might be a good one, as well. Pure pass catcher. Two to three year project. Tons of athleticism.

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sonomaca's picture

April 30, 2016 at 03:16 pm

This draft clearly indicates that TT is about speed and athletic ability. The only pick so far who doesn't fit the mold is Martinez, and he'll die trying.

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al bundy's picture

April 30, 2016 at 03:34 pm

I look at the very lack of speed and say we have a slow not to mobile guy already in jake ryan. This guy is where he is due to his poor speed. Aj hawk was great at being the second guy on the pile. I think we found another one here.

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sonomaca's picture

April 30, 2016 at 03:46 pm

Another Pac-12 guy, Murphy. Two Stanfords, a Cal, and a UCLA. That's four out of seven picks, plus one more from Utah.

I think Ted thinks that the West Coast is under-scouted.

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Since'61's picture

April 30, 2016 at 05:46 pm

Another solid pick by TT. Maybe a little light for an ILB BUT he appears to be a good run stopper. Probably will be part of the ILB rotation and an ST player. More depth for our ILB position group. Thanks, Since '61

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Samson's picture

April 30, 2016 at 09:59 pm

Rotation only means one thing --- the position doesn't have a true starter because the talent is just not there.

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3rdigraphics's picture

April 30, 2016 at 06:12 pm

I can't get excited about another 4th RD ILB. He may be good but it's pretty clear that Ted doesn't value the ILB spot as much as fans do.

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Samson's picture

April 30, 2016 at 10:06 pm

I'm not sure TT realizes that the opponent attacks your weaknesses. This is why GB has gone into every season since 2010 with a glaring weakness or two. -- Explains why the SB is so far away for the Pack. ------ Season 2016 - ILB, DL and dare I say it, one WR injury (again) away from having an average offense even with an elite QB.

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TKWorldWide's picture

April 30, 2016 at 10:57 pm

So, if you were a GM, you'd build a team devoid of weaknesses. That is an awesome plan!

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holmesmd's picture

May 01, 2016 at 07:47 pm

Ok so I've digested the draft and it seems solid but can someone tell me how the hell we didn't draft Myles Jack?! The guy was a top 5 talent that GB never has access to. Heck, even if his knee blew at yr 4 the guy would have been worth it. Instead we trade up for Spriggs who is tall and won't start? I'm really torn about this and keep going back and forth. No one could have predicted that we could have taken Jack or Smith prior to the draft. These guys are most likely generational talents. I don't think that's the case with Spriggs?:/ Help me out fellas! Lol

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holmesmd's picture

May 01, 2016 at 07:47 pm

Ok so I've digested the draft and it seems solid but can someone tell me how the hell we didn't draft Myles Jack?! The guy was a top 5 talent that GB never has access to. Heck, even if his knee blew at yr 4 the guy would have been worth it. Instead we trade up for Spriggs who is tall and won't start? I'm really torn about this and keep going back and forth. No one could have predicted that we could have taken Jack or Smith prior to the draft. These guys are most likely generational talents. I don't think that's the case with Spriggs?:/ Help me out fellas! Lol

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PackerBackerB's picture

May 03, 2016 at 09:09 am

I'm with you on that. Myles Jack was a top 5 player in this draft, and I don't think any one expected him to fall out of the top 15. Darron Lee was picked before Myles Jack (crazy!). I think we should've taken Jack at 27, and I'm almost convinced Clark would've been available in the 2nd. Even if TT went for Spriggs after Jack, look how far Andrew billings fell. Quality value at DT throughout the 2nd-4th rounds.

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wildpalms's picture

May 07, 2016 at 01:32 pm

Wasn't over-happy,with Packer picks at first, but am
beginning to think TT had/has a good plan. Just hope
he can find a decent TE and CB prospect among the UFDA's. An injury or 2 at either could be a big problem.

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wildpalms's picture

May 07, 2016 at 01:45 pm

Looks like Fackrell may end up as coverage ILB to help out all the 2-down linebackers we have. Maybe Lowry
can help with pass rush. Overall I think the defense is better and am looking for a good year ! Go Pack !!!

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