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Green Bay Packers: 3 UDFAs Who Could Make Roster Push

By Paul Bretl

MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 30: Safety Christian Uphoff #29 from Illinois State of the National Team warms up before the start of the 2021 Resse's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on the campus of the University of South Alabama on January 30, 2021 in Mobile, Alabama. The National Team defeated the American Team 27-24. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 30: Safety Christian Uphoff #29 from Illinois State of the National Team warms up before the start of the 2021 Resse's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on the campus of the University of South Alabama on January 30, 2021 in Mobile, Alabama. The National Team defeated the American Team 27-24. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /
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Green Bay Packers
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 14: Danny Davis III #7 of the Wisconsin Badgers scores a second half touchdown past Carlo Kemp #2 of the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on November 14, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Green Bay Packers UDFA: Carlo Kemp – EDGE

Why could Kemp make the final roster?

I’m sure you’ve noticed a theme here with these three selections; at each of their respective positions, there are roster spots up for grabs–and the same goes for edge rusher. The Green Bay Packers do have The Smiths and Rashan Gary — quite the trio — but depending on how many roster spots the Packers devote to the position, there is at least one and possibly two spots available.

Green Bay would bring back exclusive rights free agent Randy Ramsey while 2020 seventh-round pick Jonathan Garvin and 2020 UDFA Tipa Galeai will also be in the mix. When it comes to Kemp, he was moved up and down the defensive line at Michigan, taking 285 career snaps from the A-gap, another 850 from the B-gap, 106 lined up over the tackle, and 287 in the more traditional edge rusher role.

This ability is something that will benefit him, with Green Bay often moving Gary and Za’Darius Smith around last season–although we will see what happens in the new Joe Barry defense, but it certainly doesn’t hurt. Just like with Heflin and Uphoff, there are roster spots up for grabs for Kemp, but it’s going to take a very good summer to make the final roster.

Kemp’s college career

Kemp was a starter for Michigan the last two seasons and saw ample playing time in 2018 as well. During that three-year span, Kemp’s pass-rushing numbers don’t really leap off the page as he would record 45 pressures, seven of which were sacks, along with 10.5 tackles for loss. By PFF’s grading system ($$), he was a slightly above-average run defender.

What the pre-draft report says about Kemp

"“Defensive lineman lacking optimal traits to find a true home in most defensive alignments. He’s built like a muscular, undersized three-technique with gap-shooting prowess, but he’s actually better when taking on single blocks with his strength and sturdy base. He’s not big enough to withstand pressure from NFL size and lacks the necessary length to play as a base end. Kemp hasn’t been all that productive at Michigan but he’s a plus athlete with a good motor. Finding a fit for him, however, could be a very difficult task based on his measurables.” — Lance Zierlein, NFL.com"

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