Packers: What do the Scouting Reports Say About LB Kamal Martin?

In the 5th round, the Green Bay Packers added more depth to the LB position with the selection of Kamal Martin. Here is what a few scouting reports are saying about him.

This offseason we saw the quarterback of this Green Bay Packers’ defense, Blake Martinez, head to New York via free agency. And prior to his official departure, the Packers had signed Christian Kirksey to a two-year deal to help fill the void. However, there still remain several question marks within this linebacker unit.

If Green Bay can get the 2015-2016 version of Kirksey, his contract will look like a steal. But he has appeared in only nine games the past two seasons combined and if things go south in 2020, the Packers can get out of his deal in 2021. On top of that, Oren Burks hasn’t developed as expected while Ty Summers and Curtis Bolton are still relative unknowns.

So we knew that adding a linebacker to the mix in this year’s draft was certainly on Green Bay’s radar, and although it wasn’t Patrick Queen or Kenneth Murray as many fans had been hoping for, they still add some speed and coverage ability to the middle of their defense with fifth-round selection, Kamal Martin out of Minnesota.

Martin had appeared in 40 games during his Minnesota career where he would total 177 tackles, including a career-high of 66 this past season, despite only playing in eight games. He would also add 13 tackles for loss over his career along with 3.5 sacks.

However, a knock in Martin is that his coverage snaps haven’t translated to production. He would record just one pass-breakup in 2019 and while he did record two interceptions in eight games, that doubled his total from his previous 32 games combined. On the flip side, it’s worth pointing out that last season opposing quarterbacks had a passer rating of only 80.9 when targeting him.

But as is the case with any player, the stats don’t tell the whole story. Turn on Martin’s tape and you’ll see a player who exhibits very good speed, someone who can get deep quickly, and a player that brings versatility to the defense. Which is right up Mike Pettine’s alley.

According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), in 2019 Martin took one snap as a corner, 19 on the defensive line, three as a free safety, 409 in the box, along with 50 in the slot. And for what it’s worth, he looked pretty darn comfortable when he was in the slot.

While overall his game still needs some refinement – as does any fifth-round pick – Martin has a skill-set that the Green Bay Packers haven’t really had at the linebacker position.

Now for a more in-depth look at Martin’s game along with some different perspectives, here is what a few draft analysts had to say about him in their final scouting reports:

Kyle Crabbs – The Draft Network

"“Kamal Martin projects as an inside linebacker in an odd front system, where he can play the role of a downhill thud linebacker and plug up gaps. Martin appears to lack the mobility and range to be a sufficient defender in space at the NFL level and as such, pairing him with another ILB and asking him to attack gaps down hill will keep him in his wheelhouse. This is a potential early down defender at the NFL level who should by no means be regularly on the field for 3rd and 6+.”"

Lance Zierlein – NFL.com

"“Angular linebacker with decent straight-line twitch who takes too long to diagnose and flow, making him a viable block for climbing linemen. He plays upright and a little stiff in his scrapes and doesn’t find his run fits as efficiently as he needs to.He can gather and wrap as a tackler, but will struggle to finish elusive backs in the open field and he’s unimpressive as a passing-down participant. Martin’s lack of early play recognition and elusive flow to ball might push him outside as a 4-3 SAM option.”"

Tony Pauline – Pro Football Network

"“Martin is an athletic linebacker prospect with a developing three-down game. He plays intense football, comes with high upside and will be a solid day three pick who could eventually develop into a starter in the NFL.”"

As you can see, unless you’re watching the tape yourself and developing your own opinion, there is a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to Martin. Crabbs mentions him being limited athletically, while Pauline sees his athleticism pop on the film.

In the end only time will tell, but I do know that if Martin can show that he is capable of working well in space and can bring that versatility to the NFL level, he is going to be seeing meaningful snaps next season in Green Bay.