Kayvon Thibodeaux has gone from potential No. 1 overall pick to a player who has generated considerable scrutiny during the pre-draft process. The Oregon edge rusher may now fall out of the top 10.
The three-year Ducks defensive end is expected to be drafted outside the top five, per ESPN.com’s Matt Miller, who adds a drop out of the top 10 would not shock (ESPN+ link). A half-dozen scouts informed Miller Thibodeaux did not impress in Combine interviews with their respective teams, which echoes a report last month indicating a draft tumble might ensue for the talented sack artist.
Effort level has come up regarding Thibodeaux’s status as a prospect among front office personnel and scouts, Miller adds. Thibodeaux recorded three sacks in seven Oregon games during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, one that saw other NFL-bound Ducks opt out. Last season, Thibodeaux suffered a sprained ankle in September and finished with seven sacks and 12 tackles for loss. Certainly not poor numbers, but Thibodeaux’s junior-year production has not offset the concerns about his motor and attitude.
The Jets, who hold two top-10 picks, met with Thibodeaux this week, ProFootballNetwork.com’s Tony Pauline tweets. So did the Ravens, who hold the No. 14 overall choice. All 32 teams had staffers in Eugene, Ore., for Thibodeaux’s pro day this week, Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy tweets. Lions GM Brad Holmes joined six other Detroit staffers there, with Nagy adding the Lions and Seahawks each sent seven representatives to the pro day. Thibodeaux, whom Scouts Inc. grades as this year’s seventh-best prospect, is the only Ducks player expected to go in Round 1.
The Lions have a need on the edge, but Georgia’s Travon Walker has generated some buzz to be drafted ahead of Thibodeaux. Rising after a strong Combine showing, Walker has been linked to the Jaguars at No. 1 overall. That would make Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson a natural fit in Detroit. Thibodeaux looms and stands to have plenty of motivation going into his rookie season, but he may have to wait a bit to hear his name called.
Walker is from Georgia not Florida St
To think this guy was so dominant not so long ago. I still think all the talent is there. He is going to prove alot of teams wrong as long as he can stay on the field.
I’d be more worried about Travon Walker producing so much less in college or about Jermaine Johnson not looking like a star until his fifth year of college. Thibodeaux isn’t Bosa or Garrett, but he’s an easy, easy top ten player in this draft. The knocks on his personality sound like anonymous scout potshots that don’t mean much to his on field future.
Is this smoke screen?
Possibly. Or maybe just a couple of front office guys anonymously grousing about a kid who rubbed them the wrong way getting blown out of proportion.
I think it’s a smoke screen that Jags are considering taking Walker over Hutchinson. I don’t see why they would actually do that.
Counterpoint: Do you see why they would do half the things they’ve done in recent years?
It’s the same player. Two guys who have athleticism but not enough size to be a difference maker in the NFL. Can they add enough bulk to overpower NFL tackles? Not at the moment…
That’s just not true at all.
Not enough size? One is 265 and the other is 272.
Joey Bosa was 269 at the combine. Nick Bosa 266. Myles Garrett 272. Khalil Mack was 251.
I’m not sure what size you think a modern day DE needs to be but 260+ with good athleticism is basically the traditional profile you’d want for an end. Whether or not they’re going to be good pros is a different story but both guys are basically the size/athleticism profile scouts jump at.
Agreed. I think its just a smoke screen, and as a Jags fan, I hope it is. Same thing with the smoke screen last year that they were considering not taking Lawrence with the 1st pick. Imo this is the Jags trying to generate some trade interest in the 1st pick.
I’m sure they like Walker and they probably don’t see a ton of dropoff in talent between Hutchison and Walker, but is he 1st overall pick worthy? Like this can’t be a “we hope he can be the best player from this draft” type of pick. When you have a top 10 pick (and especially the #1 pick) you have to get it right. Sometimes you just gotta take the safe pick if there isn’t a standout at the top of the board. Like if they take Hutchison and he busts for non-injury/off the field reasons then almost everybody looks stupid since he’s been regarded as the #1 prospect by most boards. But if they take Walker and he busts and/or Hutchison is better by a large margin, then the Jags look stupid for reaching on him.
For the Lions to send 7 reps to Thibodeaux’s pro day, maybe Brad Holmes was uncomfortable with all of the “lack of effort” rumors he was hearing. You’d think 3 or 4 reps would be enough, but 7?!!? Sounds like he’s trying to get the opinions of the guys HE trusts to make an educated decision. That’s good business.
Jags- Evan Neal
Lions- Aiden Hutchinson
Texans-Ikem Ekwonu
Jets- Ahmed Gardner
Giants- Kayvon Thibodeaux
Panthers-Malik Willis
Giants – Derek Stingley Jr
Falcons-Garrett Wilson
Seahawks- Charles Cross
Jets- Jameson Williams
That’s with no trades, however I see the I could see the Jets or Giants moving down
Are you in La La Land??
Kinda doubt the Jags go OT at this point, but that’s a solid looking mock ten to me.
As an Eagles fan I’d happily give up the 15, 16 and 19th picks for the giants 5 and 7.
Take Thibodaeux and then either Hamilton, Gardner or Stingley Jr.
Giants then get three selections, can address the o line, edge and secondary or take an elite receiver.
Would be a huge win for the Eagles tho
I don’t think that could possibly be good value, but I generally think trading up big for a non QB is silly. Your boys could fill three big spots. No need to trade up.
Could fill three spots but I think Thibs and a top quality corner like say Sauce Gardner would be worth it.
Come the second round pick 51, I’d go bold and get either Kenneth Walker or Bryce Hall at RB. Get one of the best RBs of this class here on a year in which Sanders deals expires.
At 83, I’d grab another addition at LB in Quay Walker who some call the best tackler in the draft.
122. Smoke Monday – S
153. Cole Turner – TE
Now you have a much more loaded defence up front you have Graham, Thibs and Cox putting pressure on the QB. In the secondary you have two elite corners with Slay and Sauce. At LB you have 3 new additions in Reddick, White and Walker.
On offence the line should be good, the running game will be solid. Still need a stand out WR1 and I’d suggest getting Julio Jones. Perfect for the locker room.
Hurts with Julio out wide and a speedster on the otherside (Pascal, Reagor, Watkins) with DeVonta Smith playing that Cooper Kupp role out of the slot a lot of the time.
Cowboys lost Cooper and Collins on offence, the defence has to many holes to fill in the draft. The Commaders got Wentz which is nice for them and their defence is always good but I’d still fancy us and let’s not even mention the giants just yet. I like them just still a couple years away
Of course you would. Hey take our lower upside picks for your premium value picks. If that got offered. The phone is hung up before the offer is even finished.
Pff draft simulator says it’s 76% likely the giants accept it hahahaha
Giants have lots of holes and could do with the extra pick and it’s not like this draft is loaded with a bunch of premium talent. 2 of the top guys are sliding down already
Don’t think that is enough for 5 and 7
You’d need two of those picks just to move up to 5 or 7. Moving all three and expecting to get both 5 and 7 back?
Some people have no idea how picks are valued when saying mid-low teen picks will land you two top 7 picks.
But a simulator said they might so of course that’s the argument. Some real “spuds” in this group.
To move one pick up ten spots and one pick nine spots, they’d be giving up 19th overall in the current year’s draft. That doesn’t sound far off trade up values in recent years, especially in non elite QB years.
Elpoopio elgrande
He’s a UO Duck. What else do ya need to know about work ethic?
Lots of teams playing games as we approach draft. Don’t believe all the hype
Top 4/5 teams have already made up there minds on choice they want
I would take Walker over this guy. He just rubs people the wrong way. He could be a huge bust and mentally flame out. I think he wants to get paid & retire early.