Packers hosted UCF edge rusher Nyjalik Kelly on pre-draft visit

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Packers hosted UCF edge rusher Nyjalik Kelly on pre-draft visit

Packers hosted UCF edge rusher Nyjalik Kelly on pre-draft visit

The Green Bay Packers hosted UCF edge rusher Nyjalik Kelly on an official pre-draft visit.

Packers hosted UCF edge rusher Nyjalik Kelly on pre-draft visit

The Green Bay Packers hosted UCF edge rusher Nyjalik Kelly on an official pre-draft visit.

The Green Bay Packers are doing their homework on potential late-round gems, recently hosting UCF edge rusher Nyjalik Kelly for an official pre-draft visit. This move signals the team's ongoing effort to scout and rebuild depth at a crucial defensive position as the NFL Draft approaches.

Kelly brings intriguing physical tools to the table. Standing at 6'5" and nearly 260 pounds, he boasts an impressive 35.5-inch arm length—the longest among edge rushers at the Combine—and a wingspan stretching over 82 inches. This prototype frame fits the exact size profile the Packers traditionally covet on the edge.

His college production at UCF shows flashes of playmaking ability. Over two seasons and 24 games, Kelly racked up 17 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, and forced five fumbles, demonstrating a knack for disrupting plays in the backfield.

However, his pre-draft evaluation is a classic tale of traits versus testing. While his length and size are assets, his athletic testing raised some concerns. A 4.88-second 40-yard dash and struggles in agility drills contributed to a modest Relative Athletic Score of 5.78, leading analysts to project him as a likely Day 3 selection or priority free agent.

Scouting reports, like one from NFL.com's Lance Zierlein, highlight the contrast: Kelly possesses NFL measurables but needs to develop more strength, grit, and technical hand usage to win consistently against professional offensive linemen. His path will be about maximizing his physical gifts through refinement.

With six picks on Day 3 of the draft, the Packers could view Kelly as a worthwhile developmental project. He represents the kind of high-upside, toolsy player teams often target in the later rounds, hoping their coaching staff can unlock the potential hinted at by his formidable frame and college production.

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