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Kayvon Thibodeaux

 

Draft rumors run rampant this time of year as players projected draft positions rise and fall (some more than others).  Defensive end Thibodeaux is a 6-4, 254-pound edge rusher and per Detroit Lion head coach Dan Campbell, “an explosive athlete and he’s a playmaker. He’s got a good, quick first step… he’s something else. He’s pretty special on tape.” 

Still, Thibodeaux has been projected anywhere from the first player selected in the draft to being picked in the latter half of the 1st round (Recent projections are Aidan Hutchinson, another defensive end, will go number one to Jacksonville).  Why the questions on Thibodeaux?  His work ethic has been questioned.  The key is to hear the “signal through the noise.”  Those questions might be coming from sources that might want Thibodeaux to drop… to their point in the draft. 

Per Thibodeaux at last month’s NFL scouting combine “I feel like everyone has a job… For me, I feel like, when you have a smart kid like me, you have a lot of positives, someone has to find the negatives… I’m not really too worried about what people have to say as far as that, as long as the teams and I can come to an understanding of who I am and how hard [I play], and the love I have for the game.”

Per Thibodeaux at last week’s pro day "The most ridiculous thing I've heard is that I'm not the best player in this draft," Thibodeaux told reporters following his pro day (he’s an Oregon Duck).  “I’m a chess player, so I’m thinking moves ahead (like) how can I set the game and dictate what the offensive tackle does… chess is football… Pass rush, I’m gonna hit you with speed… And that’s gonna set up my power moves, and then my power moves are gonna set up my counter. It’s a heavyweight match.”

Thibodeaux has been invited by the Eagles for one of their (maximum of 30) pre-draft visits.  The Eagles have selections at 15, 16 and 19 of the first round. 

As one of the top 4 or 5 edge rushers in this draft, it is unlikely Thibodeaux will get past the Eagles selection at 15… If he gets that far.  Guess here is he’s easily a top 10 pick, perhaps as high as #2 to Detroit, who has some inside info on Thibodeaux… Detroit’s first rounder last year was a teammate… Offensive Tackle Penei Sewell.  Per Sewell, "He’s very athletic, so he gave me a run for my money come practice days," Sewell said Wednesday. "It was a battle… you can already see he has it all."


Eagles Lesson: If Thibodeaux is not selected amongst the first 14 picks… It’s their move.  Not sure who in the Eagles front office plays chess, but that 15th pick, under those circumstances, will be an easy move.

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