Packers: 3 players who clinched a roster spot in first preseason game

2. LB Oren Burks

Burks, a third-round pick in 2018, has registered 33 total tackles and zero sacks in three NFL seasons. But he got a starting nod Saturday night, and new defensive coordinator Joe Barry seems to have a plan to use him. Zach Kruse of Packers Wire probably put it best in his “11 takeaways” column with the headline on his burb about Burks: Burks comes alive.

Burks led the Packers with seven tackles (two tackles for loss) against Houston, with one sack and one quarterback hit as he pressured the quarterback multiple times. Perhaps most importantly, he emerged from the game without an injury.

Green Bay could use a difference maker at inside linebacker who can make plays behind the line of scrimmage and not just compile empty tackle totals. Perhaps a change in coordinator will unlock Burks as he heads into Year 4 of his career, and the preseason opener was a good start. If nothing else, Burks is now a lead-pipe lock for the final 53.