When a defense is good, even questionable spots tend to become strengths. And that’s what is happening with the Green Bay Packers‘ edge depth. Earlier this offseason, I wrote that their depth at edge, one of the most valuable positions in football, was concerning. However, training camp has highlighted some good pieces to fill the roster behind Rashan Gary and Preston Smith.
The biggest surprise might be Kobe Jones.
The 24-year-old edge defender went undrafted last year, but the Atlanta Falcons signed him immediately after the draft. However, the Falcons waived him at the end of training camp, and Jones spent some time last season on the Miami Dolphins practice squad. The Tennessee Titans signed and then waived him this offseason before the Packers invited him to rookie minicamp.
The performance was good enough for Green Bay to sign Jones to complete the 90-man roster. Jones has been a bright spot after two weeks of training camp and one preseason game. He might not make the 53-man roster, but he has a real shot to be at least on the practice squad if the Packers cut him and he clears waivers.
Jones was undrafted because of his lack of athleticism. He had a 1.39 out of 10 in Relative Athletic Score. But at 6’3, 255 lbs., Jones has decent size for the position and had 22 tackles for loss in 50 games at Mississippi State. He started 13 out of 50 games in college.
Jones started showing promising signs during Packers Family Night, with some pressures and setting the edge against the run.
Jones had a sack against quarterback Nate Sudfeld and five total tackles in the preseason opener against the San Francisco 49ers.
“Very, very smart,” Packers outside linebackers coach Jason Rebrovich said.
“He played with some really good players while he was there in college. When you have an opportunity, and you take advantage of that opportunity, and you come to a rookie camp as a tryout, and you show what you can do to the GM, the head coach, and the defensive coordinator, that’s a big step for that young man. I’m really excited about having Kobe here, I really am.”
According to analyst Andy Herman, Jones had three sacks and a stuff against the New Orleans Saints in their first joint practice on Tuesday. The performance was so good that Jones played with the starters on two-minute drills after Gary had an injury issue and remained on the sideline for that portion of practice.
Profile
According to Sports Illustrated’s scouting report on Jones, he is a good developmental pass rusher with room to grow:
Jones is a hand-in-the-ground pass rusher who has the dip and bend scouts want to see in a potential pass rusher. He has the requisite explosive quickness off the ball that allows him to immediately generate pressure. This also aids him in making plays in the run game as he can break through double teams and locate the ball-carrier. Jones needs to improve his overall pass-rushing skills as there are many times that he just is not involved in generating pressure in big situations.
The Packers have two more preseason games against the New Orleans Saints and the Kansas City Chiefs. In these games, Jones has a chance to show he deserves to be in Green Bay beyond August.
Fight for roster spots
Rashan Gary and Preston Smith are obvious locks to make the 53-man roster, but anything beyond that is open. The expectation is that Green Bay will carry four edge defenders. They’ll have five at most.
Fifth-round rookie Kingsley Enagbare had a slow start at training camp, but he got better and has been one the most productive players in the last couple of weeks — including a good showing against the 49ers. Considering he is a mid-round pick this year with a high ceiling, it’s probable that he will also make the team.
It leaves one or two roster spots open. Jonathan Garvin, Tipa Galeai, and La’Darius Hamilton had playing time last season and were ahead of Kobe Jones before training camp, but Jones had shortened the distance.
