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Kennard Backman a long-shot project for Green Bay Packers

By Keegan Matheson

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The Green Bay Packers ended their 2015 NFL Draft in round six, selecting tight end Kennard Backman with the 213th overall pick. Backman will be the final player drafted into the NFL from the University of Alabama Birmingham, as the school chose to discontinue their football program in December.

Just like fellow sixth round picks Aaron Ripkowski and Christian Ringo, Backman is a small part of a large special teams rebranding that is underway with the Green Bay Packers. His 4.65-second time in the 40-yard dash at UAB’s pro day highlights the athletic ability that he will bring to all four downs, and the Packers will hope that his two-way experience in High School will give Backman some level of natural tackling ability.

Standing at 6’3″ and 258 pounds, Backman is a lottery ticket pick from Ted Thompson based on his impressive athleticism. “We like the speed. He’s an athletic type, linear built, basketball-looking type guy,” Packers general manager told Lori Nickel of the Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel.

Many scouts question if Backman has any blocking ability whatsoever, which would be a critical blow to his chances at making Green Bay’s 53-man roster, but he remains confident that he is being underestimated.

“I have traces of Vernon Davis.  A lot of people don’t know that I do block and I know a lot of people question that. I’ve blocked plenty I have no trouble with that. I’m just ready to get in and get going.”

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Offensively, I categorize Backman in a very similar role to Brandon Bostick, the departed Packers tight end who infamously botched the onside kick in Seattle. Bostick stuck around the bottom of Green Bay’s roster as a primary special teams member while the organization hoped that other facets of his game clicked, but he was never able to reach any part of his impressive potential.

Backman will still have an intriguing opportunity to win the third tight end spot because he offers Green Bay the one thing they truly lost in Bostick: a weapon with the potential to stretch the seam vertically.  Richard Rodgers will deservedly enter the season as Green Bay’s starter with Andrew Quarless playing a heavy complimentary role, but neither come with truly dominant athletic traits or the ability to outrun linebackers. In 2014, Backman caught 39 passes for 399 yards and 3 touchdowns.

If the reports ring true, however, and Backman looks completely lost in pass blocking, he will face a long and uphill battle to earn a roster spot. His immediate offensive role profiles best as an H-back or move tight end, something the Packers recently tried and failed to implement with D.J. Williams out of Arkansas. One thing to watch for, however, is his ability to run with the football after the catch. That popped off his film several times and will be the primary trait I watch for in August.

This appears to be the special teams draft for Green Bay, and Backman is another brick in the wall. Not only will he need to impress in that phase, but he will need to provide the coaching staff with “something else” that makes him worthy of a roster spot. I view him as a real long-shot, but with a massive pool of talent remaining, Ted Thompson chose to use his final selection on Backman for a reason.

Next: Packers find potential sleeper in Christian Ringo

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