Todd McShay provides intel on Kayvon Thibodeaux's NFL Draft stock

Since the beginning of the draft process, Oregon Ducks defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux has been viewed as one of the top prospects. Even with a shortened college career, he has been seen as a potential top overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

However, ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay recently discussed Thibodeaux and where he stood among draft boards. He said the Oregon pass rusher is falling after being a consensus top-two pick over the past six to eight months.

“Thibodeaux is one of the elite talents, there’s no question about it, ” McShay said. “He’s long, he’s powerful, he can get after the quarterback, he can defend the run… Just talking to a bunch of different scouts and general managers and even some coaches — they go online and read the mock drafts and they look at the rankings. It’s always Hutchinson, Thibodeaux, Thibodeaux, Hutchinson and that’s what it’s been for a couple of months. I wasn’t getting that vibe. In fact, I was told by several different guys, at least four different guys, that they — don’t be surprised if he isn’t in the top five.”

McShay went on to explain why teams may not view Thibodeaux as highly as they used to. There could be concerns about how he plays on every snap according to McShay, especially with the type of money that gets invested into top picks.

“A lot of it has to do with the consistency down in and down out,” McShay said. “You compare him to Aidan Hutchinson from Michigan, Trevon Walker, Jermaine Johnson, — who was playing his tail off late in the season with nothing to play for at Florida State. You see that down to down consistency and you look at Thibodeaux and you say ‘he might be the most talented defensive end in this class but I want to know what I am getting if I am investing $20, $25 million of guaranteed money over the next five years in that player.’ By no means do people think he’s a lock to go at No. 1 or No. 2 and may not go in the top five”

Even with the slide, the ability Thibodeaux holds cannot be disputed. At some point, even if the top five, it will be too hard for a team to pass on such as talent, especially at the defensive end position.

Thibodeaux will still have time to smooth over these concerns by meeting with specific teams and going through the NFL combine. Even the Oregon Pro Day will help the future first-round draft pick.