While the general consensus surrounding Oregon edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux‘s status in 2022 NFL Mock Drafts has changed slightly over the past few weeks, the fact remains that he’s still widely seen as one of the top prospects in this year’s NFL Draft.
Thibodeaux is an incredibly gifted athlete. Despite an injury during the 2021 season, he rebounded nicely and saw himself as the consensus No. 1 overall player for some time. As the NFL Combine proceeds, is he still the No. 1 player off the board?
NFL Mock Draft 2022: PFN’s top consensus landing spots
For the majority of the 2021 college football season, Thibodeaux was largely seen as the No. 1 overall player. Seemingly every 2022 NFL Mock Draft had him as the first player selected. Now, with the surge of other edge prospects, as well as a growing need for the Jacksonville Jaguars to secure a tackle, he’s been pushed out of that top spot.
In Pro Football Network’s four-round mock published on February 26, Oliver Hodgkinson had Thibodeaux selected second overall to the Detroit Lions. Hodgkinson wrote that Thibodeaux is “an insanely explosive pass rusher who possesses the length to be combative at the point of attack,” noting that the Oregon EDGE is “equally adept at getting to the quarterback or stopping the run.”
PFN’s Lead NFL Analyst Dalton Miller also had Thibodeaux coming off the board second overall to Detroit. Miller explained how Thibodeaux’s versatility should help him adjust to NFL life immediately. “Thibodeaux is a scheme-versatile pass rusher. He can play with his hand in the dirt or in a two-point stance.”
A one-round mock draft by the Pro Football Network Mock Draft Simulator and published on February 28 had Thibodeaux sliding a bit further to the New York Giants at fifth overall. Thibodeaux has had his work ethic questioned, allegedly, by some close to the Oregon program. But yours truly isn’t buying that, and he remains one of the best players in this entire class.
Where does Kayvon Thibodeaux land on other draft boards?
The outside world is also a bit split. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. pegged Thibodeaux at fifth to the Giants as well. “If the draft plays out like this and both of the top offensive tackles are off the board before the Giants pick, taking a defender makes the most sense,” Kiper wrote. “And if Thibodeaux is available, he’d be a perfect fit for a New York defense that needs to pair a true edge rusher with rookie Azeez Ojulari.”
Kiper’s colleague Todd McShay had a similar take in his most recent mock draft. Again, Thibodeaux was selected fifth overall. “Yes, the Giants need offensive linemen, but with a second top-10 pick on deck and the top two linemen off the board, we’re pivoting to the other massive weakness: pass rush,” McShay wrote. “And wouldn’t you know it, Thibodeaux falls right into the Giants’ lap here.”
Will Thibodeaux’s draft stock change after his NFL Combine performance?
As much as Thibodeaux has solidified his stance as the potential No. 1 overall player, his Combine performance will only further prove his athleticism. His presence in the interview rooms will also help his case, as he wins every room he’s in. He’s a confident, humble individual who understands his role and his future.
Thibodeaux could certainly turn heads with his Combine performance, but for a player largely seen as a lock to become a top-five pick, it’s hard to say his status is changing anytime soon.