Green Bay Packers: Kamal Martin Displays “Explosive Ability”

With some unknowns around the Green Bay Packers’ linebacker position, rookie Kamal Martin is showing off his physicality and explosive ability.

On what was a much improved Green Bay Packers’ defense in 2019, the linebacker position remained a weak spot within the unit. Now entering the 2020 season, it still has its question marks.

While Christian Kirksey could provide an upgrade over Blake Martinez if he is able to return to his previous form, staying healthy is a big concern. After Kirksey, we have Oren Burks, who has struggled to see playing time his first two seasons, Ty Summers, who was a special teams player as a rookie, and Curtis Bolton who missed all of last season with an injury.

A fifth player who will be fighting for playing time is rookie fifth-round pick, Kamal Martin, whose skill-set could finally give the Green Bay Packers that versatile linebacker who can help against the run but also cover as well.

Coming out of Minnesota, Martin appeared in 40 games while logging 177 tackles, 13 of which were for a loss, along with 3.5 sacks. In coverage, he would also add four interceptions and five pass breakups.

Although he primarily played in the box, Martin also lined up just about everywhere else for the Gopher defense, including at corner, on the defensive line, and as the free safety. Here is what Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network had to say about Martin’s game prior to the draft:

"“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.”"

It’s certainly been a difficult offseason for rookies to get acclimated to life at the NFL level. With no OTAs, mini-camps, or preseason games, the transition is even more challenging than what it normally is. However, when it comes to Martin, he’s been consistently making plays the last few practices, and he’s caught the attention of Matt LaFleur:

"“There was a blitz called and he timed it right and made a play in the backfield,” LaFleur said. “He has shown that explosive ability and we’ve just got make sure that he continues to grow and learn and know the details of what we’re asking him to do. I think Kamal’s got a high ceiling.”"

Martin has good size and athletic ability to provide help in coverage against tight ends, something that the middle of this defense needs, but he’s also shown that physicality to blow up plays in the run game as well. Which again, is something that the middle of this defense needs.

With all that said, it’s only training camp, and Martin has to continue to play at this level moving forward. But when your rookie linebacker is flying around and tackling Josiah Deguara in the backfield and all over Jace Sternberger in coverage, well, it’s hard not to get excited about what we are seeing.