A few recent free agent signings at inside linebacker help

clear up the picture of what it would take to extend the Packers’ former fourth-round pick." />Skip to main contentclockmenumore-arrownoyesHorizontal - WhiteAcme Packing Companya Green Bay Packers communityLog In or Sign UpLog InSign UpFanpostsFanshotsSectionsPackersOddsAboutMastheadCommunity GuidelinesStubHubMoreAll 322 blogs on Horizontal - WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections The APC PodcastPackers Film RoomFantasy Football AdviceCDTShareTweetShareShareSizing up the cost of a potential Blake Martinez contract extensionPhoto by Gregory Shamus/Getty ImagesEarlier this week Blake Martinez Color Rush Jersey , Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez appeared inside APC’s top-10 countdown of the team’s best players heading into the 2019 season. A source of stability for the Packers in terms of health and production over his first three seasons in the league, Martinez is a key figure in Green Bay’s defense and would figure to be in the team’s long-term plans.But Martinez is heading into the final year of his rookie deal signed in 2016 and could command a lucrative offer with a strong follow-up to his 2018 season. With a career-high 144 tackles and five sacks, Martinez could factor heavily into the plans of defensive coordinator Mike Pettine in his second season in Green Bay. A 16-game starter the past two seasons, Martinez has been reliable for the Packers since being drafted in the fourth round and that dependability comes with a price.In March 2018, the Houston Texans signed Benardrick McKinney to what was the third-highest contract among NFL middle linebackers at the time. McKinney, coming off his first Pro Bowl nod that season, started 16 games in three of his first four seasons. He tallied 105 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and one forced fumble in 2017, modest numbers in comparison to Martinez’s marks of the past couple years. Still, McKinney received a five-year, $50 million contract with $21 million guaranteed.This spring, another elite inside linebacker signed a massive deal when CJ Mosley agreed to a five-year, $85 million contract with a whopping $51 million guaranteed. However, Mosley has an edge on Martinez in that he earned Pro Bowl recognition in four of his five years in the NFL and has created 15 turnovers to Martinez’s three. Yet, Mosley recorded only one season above 132 tackles (his rookie year) and has not eclipsed four sacks in a given season. Martinez should not be in line for a contract of Mosley’s magnitude, but it is fair to suggest that he will be in the ballpark of McKinney or slightly above. After all, Anthony Hitchens negotiated a five-year, $45 million contract with Kansas City in 2018 after four pro seasons and Martinez has already far surpassed Hitchens’ production up to that point. The Los Angeles Chargers also gave Denzel Perryman a two-year extension averaging $6 million a year this offseason after an injury-filled third and fourth-year years on his rookie contract. Difference-making potential when healthy helped Perryman in his negotiation.If Martinez has a fully healthy season for a third consecutive year https://www.thepackersfanshop.com/Dave-Robinson-Jersey , he should be expected to match or exceed his numbers and caliber of play in 2019. That means Martinez will not come cheaply. After a 2019 offseason that saw the Packers splash in the free agent pool on several occasions, it is estimated that the team will have around $28 million in cap room, a number near the bottom of the league. That was before the Packers picked up Kenny Clark’s fifth-year option worth around $8 million in 2020. Committing five years and a high seven-figure salary to Martinez alone becomes a potentially costly investment.However, the uncertain future impacts of 2018 third-rounder Oren Burks and 2019 seventh-rounder Ty Summers make Martinez a near-irreplaceable talent at inside linebacker for the Packers. Holding most of the leverage at this juncture, Martinez should be expected to wear a green and gold uniform for a few more seasons. But that would come with receiving one of the richest contracts ever given to a Packer defender. GREEN BAY, Wis. 鈥?The Green Bay Packers‘ Davante Adams can trace his ascent to becoming one of the most productive receivers in the NFL to a cold night in late November four years ago.That game against the New England Patriots is proof of how much a rookie must be prepared at any time to step up, even against the toughest of opponents.More Packers coverageProtecting QB Aaron Rodgers will be Packers’ priority vs. BearsPackers place starting guard Bell on IR, sign OL SiragusaStaTuesday: Packers’ Rodgers sets record with INT-free streakPackers Snap Counts: Patrick shows fight in first startUpon Further Review: Packers vs. Falcons“Well I mean, I let everybody know as far as my approach to the game ever since I got here was just to be ready at all times,” Adams said this week.It’s a lesson that the Packers’ current crop of rookie receivers can draw from when Green Bay faces New England again on Sunday night at Foxboro.In 2014, Adams took advantage of more looks when the Patriots decided to focus on then-top Packers wideout Jordy Nelson. Adams had six catches for 121 yards on 11 targets, getting as many receptions and targets as he had drawn the three previous games combined.“Yeah, that was probably my coming out game,” Adams said.Now Adams is quarterback Aaron Rodgers‘ top option, the receiver that usually draws an opponent’s best cornerback. Adams has had at least 132 yards receiving in each of his last three games.“Well, he’s big for us. I think he can do it all from the wide receiver position and we’re expecting a lot of attention by the Patriots secondary” on Adams, coach Mike McCarthy said.If that’s the case, it could mean more looks for rookie wideouts Marquez Valdes-Scantling or Equanimeous St. Brown.The 6-foot-4 Valdes-Scantling has especially taken advantage of more work in recent games with injuries to starters Randall Cobb and Geronimo Allison. They returned last week, but Valdes-Scantling still caught a touchdown pass last week Aaron Jones Jersey , his second in three games.Adams has offered simple, but important advice to the rookies, just like how Nelson did to Adams four years ago.“Don’t try to be (Adams.) Don’t try to be Cobb, don’t try to be (Allison). Don’t try to be anybody else that you see,” Valdes-Scantling said in recounting a piece of advice from Adams.Valdes-Scantling could draw another start against the Patriots with Allison listed as doubtful for Sunday after injuring his groin in practice this week to go with an already sore hamstring. Cobb is questionable again with a hamstring injury but seems to be improving.“Be yourself. Everybody does things well, but what you do well, just keep doing it,” Valdes-Scantling added about Adams’ advice.Adams has become an all-around receiver. Explosiveness and an ability to make moves allow him to gain extra yards after a catch.But while the 26-21 win over the Patriots in 2014 might have been his springboard, it took a while for Adams to gain the kind of consistency that now makes him an important part of the offense.For example, following the Patriots game, Adams managed just four catches for 29 yards over his last four regular-season games combined in 2014. Then he had seven catches for 117 yards and a score in a 26-21 win in the playoffs over the Dallas Cowboys.Adams has 28 touchdown catches since the 2016 season. Opposing secondaries have caught on to Adams’ rise, yet he’s still coming up clutch for Rodgers.“He’s going to look to guys who maybe he hasn’t looked to as much coming up,” Adams said. “If that’s how they decide to go about the game, remove (me) from the game, I’m still going to do my best to contribute as much as I can to this offense. I know the rest of the guys will be ready as well.”Linebacker Nick Perry (ankle) and safety Jermaine Whitehead (back) are the only other players on the injury report, listed as questionable for Sunday.