Mel Kiper predicts Kayvon Thibodeaux NFL landing spot in updated mock draft

Oregon Ducks pass-rushing phenom Kayvon Thibodeaux is one of the hottest prospects entering April’s NFL Draft and it appears ESPN NFL draft guru Mel Kiper is settling on a final landing spot as April inches closer and speculation morphs into reality.

According to Kiper, the Oregon edge specialist will be a perfect fit for the New York Giants with the No. 5 overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft.

“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 said.

“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, who led the team with eight sacks last season,” Kiper begins.

While highlighting his production — and even making a bold proclamation stating Kayvon Thibodeaux has a chance to make not one, but multiple All-Pro teams during his NFL career — the ESPN NFL draft guru wasn’t shy about noting areas of improvement for the former Oregon Ducks great.

“Thibodeaux has to improve his all-around game, but he has outstanding physical tools as a pass-rusher. He had seven sacks last season and put up the second-best pressure rate in the country (17.8%). If he comes close to his ceiling, he’ll make multiple All-Pro teams. The Giants have some nice pieces to build around for new general manager Joe Schoen and coach Brian Daboll, but they’re not going to be able to acquire an edge rusher like Thibodeaux anywhere other than the draft. We could look back at this pick in five years and consider it a steal.”

How are there still reservations about Kayvon Thibodeaux?

It’s enlightening to study the defensive end’s production during his three years at Oregon. Oddly, his first collegiate season in 2019 could be argued as his best from an individual playmaking standpoint, closing out his inaugural campaign with a career-high nine sacks to add to his 35 tackles.

On paper, the pass rusher took a step back in his second campaign closing out the year with just three sacks.

But 2021 saw a revitalized Kayvon Thibodeaux, a major reason why he’s climbed NFL draft boards as one of the top edge rushers of the class.

While it’s hard to find a major knock minus mechanical tune-ups and areas he can improve through NFL coaching, one CBS draft analyst made a point to mention the Oregon phenom could significantly help or hurt his draft stock in Indy this week, while citing supposed character concerns.

In a CBS piece that dove into three players who have a ton to gain or lose when it comes to their stock at the NFL Combine, Chris Trapasso singled out the same pass rusher that gets compared at the top.

“OK, Oregon edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux isn’t at risk of plummeting on draft night. However, there’s some questions about his maturity and intentions with his football career. Unfounded or not, it’s impacting his stock. At the combine, Thibodeaux can shift the focus back to what’s he capable on the field at the combine with a stellar workout.”

This was the most stunning to see. Nearly every NFL draft expert places Thibodeaux neck and neck with Michigan edge phenom Aidan Hutchinson. The stats don’t lie and NFL teams have shown a willingness to surround young prospects with teams of staffers to help them grow.