NFL Draft Profile: Minnesota Gophers OLB Kamal Martin

Kamal Martin finished out his Gopher career as a regular contributor for all 4 seasons, starting most of the games as a junior and senior.

PLAYER—POS

Measurables:

Height: 6’3”

Weight: 240lbs

Combine Results: (Rank within position)

40 yard Dash: did not participate at Combine

Bench Press: did not participate at Combine

Vertical Jump: did not participate at Combine

Broad Jump: did not participate at Combine

3 Cone Drill: did not participate at Combine

20 yd Shuttle: did not participate at Combine

Mockdraftable Spider Graph:

Kamal Martin started slowly in his Gopher career and then was silently a very valuable member of the defense over his last two seasons. He was injured for part of this senior season, leaving a noticable hole until the younger linebackers began to figure things out. At the collegiate level he was a good combination of athleticism and strength. A hard hitter and good tackler, Martin was productive with 177 career tackles, 4 interceptions and 4 forced fumbles.

Positives:

• Good upper-body turn to slip blocks
• Good closing speed to tackle
• Late punch and slide to play off blocks
• Will fill and spill runners into teammates’ grasp
• Unflinching and wide-eyed in the hole
• Accurate target points to finish as tackler

Weaknesses:

• Slow to diagnose plays
• Doesn’t play with enough knee bend
• Lateral movement and change of direction is a little tight
• Lacks feel for blocking schemes and optimal entry point
• Plays under the block, taking himself out of contention
• Coverage movement in space is a little labored

Highlights:

Mock Draft Predictions?

Certainly a consensus late round pick.

NFL.com/ Chad Reuter - free agent

The Athletic - Round 6 Pick 190 to Philadelphia Eagles

CBS Sports - Round 6 Pick 182 to Detroit Lions

Draftwire/USA Today - free agent

Walterfootball.com - Round 7 Pick 216 to Washington Redskins

Our Prediction?

Martin will be a 6th or 7th round pick and will figtht to make a roster. His chances to make a roster might be better were he a free agent and can pick a roster or system with the best opportunity. But much like Carter Coughlin, he will have to earn his way on to a team as a special teams standout.

Can he work his way up the depth chart? Absolutely, but it appears the early part of Martin’s NFL career will have to come on special teams and perhaps the practice squad.