NFL Draft Yearbook Scouting Report
Kayvon Thibodeaux – Oregon
Photo by Tom Hauck/Getty Images
NFL Draft Yearbook 2022 – 250 In-depth Scouting Reports – Top 300+ Rankings, 7 Round Mock Draft / NFL Player Comparison
Defensive End – Positional Overview:
This year’s defensive end class is a very strong group which could produce as many as six #1 picks. There are several blue-chip prospects at the top and probably 5 should go in the top 15 selections. There could be as many as 10-12 in the top three rounds with as many as 15 thru the middle rounds. Aidan Hutchinson is the best defender in this draft class and could be a top two overall pick. He is NFL ready and a three-down starter. Kayvon Thibodeaux is an explosive edge defender and among the best of this special class of edge defenders. He figures in the top few selections.
Kayvon Thibodeaux – Scouting Report
* Kayvon Thibodeaux #5 – 6-4, 255 Oregon – Sp. 4.60
NFL Comparison: Demarcus Ware Rating 93
Physically gifted true junior declared for the NFL Draft after an injury marred 2021 season limited by an ankle injury. Freakish athlete with rare combination of length, agility, speed and power to play in both NFL fronts. Long angular frame with long arms (33 1/8”) and quick feet to play both outside positions in either pro scheme. Shows explosiveness off the snap to be an impact speed pass rusher with the size, length and natural strength to also win as a power rusher. The ideal defender as a weak side end in a 4-3 scheme, as well as the agility and foot quickness to play outside in a 3-4 front. His versatility and upside potential make him attractive to all defenses and should land among the top overall selections. Despite facing double team blocking, he continued to make impact plays along the talented Ducks’ front. Rare physical traits for the position with the agility of a linebacker and power of a lineman. Chiseled physique and well distributed with the room to add muscle to fit the prototypical measurables for an elite pro edge rusher. Shows fine functional strength to stack and shed blockers, though can be engulfed at the point at times. Uses his good height to his advantage and uses his long arm to get blockers off his body and follow with technique to separate and burst to the ball. Very good movement skills and footwork for his size and when called upon to drop into coverage on zone blitzes, showed good agility and coordination. Displays a very good spin move to disengage blockers with a great closing burst. Special quick-twitch athleticism and comes off the snap quickly and shows rare flexibility to bend the edge. Consistent with his knee bend and use of leverage. Currently his pass rush is a nice combination of speed and power, though he needs to refine and add new moves to become a premier pro edge defender. Shows the speed to be very effective in pursuit to the opposite sidelines or downfield. Fine length to effectively disrupt passing lanes and be a factor deflecting passes. Shows a strong jarring hand punch, though needs further development to gain a consistent early advantage. Shows deceptive strength to hold the POA and win most individual battles, though his narrow frame makes him vulnerable at the point. Relies mainly on his initial burst and swim move to beat blockers and needs to develop moves like a rip and using his long arm better especially facing the double team. Must play with good pad level to maintain leverage. Sound awareness with agility and balance to move down the LOS to finish. Fine short area burst to win early on the down and penetrate the backfield. Over the 2021 season, he started 11 games and finished with 50 tackles, 12 TFL, 8 QB hurries, 1 PBU, 2 FF and 7 sacks and earned 1st team Pac-12 honors. His production slipped late in the season when he received special attention weekly with double team blocking. Over his three-year career, he played in 31 games with 123 tackles, 35.5 TFL, 3 FF, 7 PBU and 19 sacks. In three Pac-12 championship games, he combined for 21 QB hurries, 13 tackles, 5.5 TFL and 4.5 sacks. At the NFL Combine, he came in at 6’4” and 254 lbs. with 33 1/8” arms and 9 3/4” hands. Ran a 4.58 time with a 1.59 ten-yard split. Added 27 reps in the lifting. Excellent fit for weakside end in a 4-3 set or the attack backer role in a 3-4 scheme. Talented defender with the complete skill set, though must dispel the somewhat hot and cold label. Blue chip #1 prospect with the skills similar to Demarcus Ware in AA, body type and Pro Bowl potential. Must adapt to facing double teams to be an elite NFL defender. Dedication to football has been questioned, though his production disputes that. Top 5 pick with incredible upside and scheme diversity to become a difference maker. Special elite edge rusher.
Draft Projection: 1st Round – Top 5 Selection
