Kayvon Thibodeaux Summer Scouting Report

Kicking off the 2022 NFL Draft summer scouting series War Room Scouting takes a look at Oregon edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux.

Background

Entering the University of Oregon Kayvon Thibodeaux was given high expectations to make an immediate impact on a defense that was looking for a disruptive presence on the defensive line. Thibodeaux certainly fit their criteria, according to 247 Sports Recruiting Rankings Thibodeaux was given a 5 star rating and was graded as the second best defensive end prospect in his class and the best prospect in the state of California.

Thibodeaux made an immediate impact for the Ducks as he would start as a true freshman in 2019 generating 9 sacks and 14 tackles for loss respectively. His disruptive freshman campaign would earn him the Pac 12’s Defensive Freshman of the Year and consensus All American honors, the first to do so for Oregon since current Indianapolis Colt DeForest Buckner.

Following his stellar 2019 campaign Thibodeaux would still prove to be an impact player in 2020. Despite a shortened schedule, in just 7 games Thibodeaux produced 3 sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss. His 2020 season would earn him the 41st annual Morris Trophy, an award that is given to the most outstanding offensive or defensive lineman in the Pac 12 with the input of player voting.

With two meaningful seasons under his belt Thibodeaux has propelled himself into a place where a proper evaluation can be made. It is now time for us at War Room Scouting to take a deeper look at his skill set as a 2022 NFL Draft prospect.

Positives

Get Off / Speed

What first stands out about Thibodeaux is his explosive get off and burst off the line of scrimmage from the defensive end position. Due to Thibodeaux’s body composition and length, he covers a significant amount of ground with long and effortless strides out of his stance. His efficiency covering ground post – snap benefits Thibodeaux in his pass rush as he utilizes his efficient speed to bend around the tackle. With the combination of speed and ankle flexion Thibodeaux frequently finds himself bending away from offensive tackles and wreaking havoc in the pocket usually leading to sacks and quarterback pressures. In the run sets Thibodeaux’s get off / speed comes to his benefit as his quickness off the ball helps him dictate his positioning along the defensive line. His quick positioning skills help him disrupt the A and B gap in the interior run game and the C gap in outside run contain.

Power

While Thibodeaux flashes post snap with speed he also possesses immense power in his hands at the point of attack. In pass sets he carries great shock in his hands at the top of his rush. Converting speed to power Thibodeaux generates the immediate knockback of the offensive tackle while keeping his chest protected due to his length. Utilizing both his length and power helps him control and drive the tackle at the point of attack while simultaneously suffocating the opposing quarterback in the pocket. In run sets Thibodeaux’s hand power helps him control his assigned gap as he locks out and freezes the tackle in his tracks. This helps him not only maintain gap integrity but to peek into the backfield to anticipate the destination of the running back. Staying in control in run defense leads to many reps where he can quickly move off his opponent to tackle the opposing running back in stride.

Instincts

Combined with impressive physical traits such get off, speed, and power Thibodeaux also possesses impressive mental traits in both the pass and run game. His instincts in his pass rush come to fruition when the opposing quarterback is in the process of navigating the pocket. Thibodeaux frequently anticipates the path of the quarterback and generates most of his production when anticipating rollouts leaving little space for the quarterback to operate when flushed out of the pocket. In run defense Thibodeaux has a natural feel for the path of the ball carrier and blocking schemes. He is able to quickly decipher and overwhelm interior lineman in the A and B Gap leaving the running back in a compromising position. Thibodeaux also plays a disciplined brand of football when containing outside run sets as he plays the line of scrimmage making sure the running back does not find substantial space in the boundary or field side.

Negatives

Rush Arsenal

While Thibodeaux carries immense physical gifts such as length, speed, and power the technical aspect of Thibodeaux’s game is still at a point of development. In pass rush sets Thibodeaux mainly relies on pure athleticism and power to beat opposing tackles. However, what is still limited in his game is the array of pass rush moves to utilize when engaging a tackle at the point of attack. Whether it being a push pull or spin move Thibodeaux still needs to expand his toolbox as a pass rusher in order to be diverse as a edge defender. Without a diverse arsenal of moves he struggles to recreate or re – counter an opposing tackle who successfully defended his speed or bull rush, working on the technical side of Thibodeaux’s game is going to make him a more complete defender as he continues the path to being a top NFL Draft prospect.

Scheme Fit

Can play in both an odd and even front. Occasionally plays outside linebacker in an odd 3-4 front and rush defensive end in an even 4-3 front. Much of his success in 2020 came from his alignment as a true defensive end in which he keeps his hand in the dirt and embraces an attacking mentality off the edge.

Grade

1.1 (Top 10 Player)

Final Summary

Kayvon Thibodeaux is an edge defender that carries all the traits that NFL teams covet early in the first round. Coming in with high expectations at the University of Oregon Thibodeaux has been what the coaching staff expected as a disruptive and high effort defensive end. Already possessing the length, speed, and power to win off the edge as a 4-3 defensive end Thibodeaux has been a true impact player on the Oregon defense for the past two seasons. While he still needs refine the technical aspect of his game Thibodeaux has all the tools and traits to be one of the best prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft class.