When the Green Bay Packers selected Blake Martinez in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, many expected the Stanford linebacker to push Joe Thomas for his role in the dime package. Instead, the rookie may end up winning a starting spot from veteran Sam Barrington. According to ESPN's Rob Demovsky, Martinez took snaps with the No. 1 defense "throughout" the Packers' OTA practices and looks likely to continue that trend during this week's minicamp.
Martinez's opportunity to battle for a larger role in the defense came partially as result of Barrington's continued recovery from a foot injury suffered during the Packers' 2015 season opener against the Chicago Bears.