The 2022 NFL Draft already looks like a different class than the previous two, and it starts with plenty of top talent on the defensive side of the football. The Oregon Ducks are a team with plenty of talent for next year’s draft, and it starts with a top tier edge rusher. That edge rusher class looks pretty impressive at the top for this coming cycle and Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux leads the way right now.
Thibodeaux has been on the radar for draft analysts since his freshman season, which was a dominant one. In just 13 games, Thibodeaux racked up nine sacks, 14 tackles for loss, three passes defensed, and a forced fumble. He was a big part of the team and a leader on defense for a squad that won the Pac 12 and subsequently took down Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl.
In a COVID-shortened sophomore campaign, Thibodeaux didn’t reach his production from the previous season. But, he did still add 9.5 TFLs and three sacks in seven games, along with three more passes defensed.
This will be an important year for Thibodeaux, as the junior will likely enter the 2022 NFL Draft at season’s end.
The production has been solid thus far, but taking it up a notch in the Pac 12 would be huge and cement Kayvon Thibodeuax’s status as the top pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
So how does his game stack up against previous top edge rushers in the last few classes? He may not be head-and-shoulders above them, but there are so many traits to like in his game. Let’s dive in!
Strengths of Thibodeaux’s game
An All-American in his first two seasons (first team in 2019, second team in 2020), Thibodeaux has the tools to be a force on the edge.
It starts with his quick first step and initial quicks. Thibodeaux’s initial quicks out of his three point stance make things easier to gain leverage quickly vs. offensive linemen who have the snap count. His first step makes him a threat to win on the outside track on every snap. The explosion and athleticism he has gives him the ability to win with speed around the edge. His athleticism also comes into play with his change of direction skills. He can retread his rush route to pursue from the back side very well, and his speed to close is very good.
Where Thibodeaux really makes his hey is at contact. Thibodeaux is great at establishing leverage at the point of contact. He plays with exceedingly good pad level and is nearly always the low man on his reps.
His hand placement is excellent, as he consistently gets his hands in tight under tackles’ shoulder pads and in tight near the arm pit. When he establishes control, it’s easy for Thibodeaux. The pop in his hands plus his placement give him an advantage to shed blocks quickly against the run and create pressure on the quarterback. His go-to move is a dip and rip to get around the outside shoulder.
The last thing that shines with Thibodeaux is his motor and effort. Thibodeaux has a motor that runs hot all game long, and his effort to chase down plays is something coaches and teams love to see.
Weaknesses of Thibodeaux’s game
When it comes to weaknesses for Kayvon Thibodeaux, there isn’t a whole lot to go through. But, there are things he can work on to be the sure fire number one pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
It starts with his plan as a pass rusher. Thibodeaux does have counters once he reaches contact as a rusher, but his plan seems to form at contact rather than before. Thibodeaux often works to establish leverage with great placement and pad level, then works from there. He can win with athleticism and power, but he hasn’t needed to form an array of moves because he’s been dominant since he was a freshman.
Winning with a lot of bull rushes is fine, but it would be good to see more from Thibodeaux in his junior campaign. It would also be great to see him threaten the outside track with more bend, since he has the functional athleticism to do so.
Another small thing for Thibodeaux is to finish more tackles against the run when he sheds blocks. Thibodeaux has the length and wingspan to make those plays outside of his frame, but doing so with more consistency would be huge.
Final Thoughts
Ducks rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux has all of the tools to be the top overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft. He has the athleticism, motor, and skill at contact to be dangerous at the next level. If he puts together another excellent campaign as a junior, the NFL team with the top pick may opt for him over a quarterback. A defensive cornerstone is important for an NFL defense, especially one who rushes the passer with his intensity and skill.