I've been following draft content for Senior Bowl week and there is now significant chatter that Kayvon Thibideoux could slide during the draft. It seems that there are character concerns (seems like he has an ego) and also that he is still a bit raw in his technique. I find it a compelling storyline because all of last year he was pegged as the 1st overall-- My poll question is if he is there at #4 do we draft him or go for a potentially safer prospect like Neal or Icky Ewonu--then we address edge later with a Jermain Johnson type.
Many top athletes have very large ego (Jordan, Ronaldo, Brady). That being said, we do not know the nature of his 'character' issues. Based on talent alone and his position, yes you select him and try maximizing his abilities. If his 'character' concerns are clearly not right, you don't touch him at all even at 10th overall.
I would take him at 4. Maybe I'll be proven wrong, but the character concerns are overblown and that the fall says as much about how highly regarded Neal and Ekwonu are. If Thibideoux is there at 4, I'm assuming both Neal and Ekonwu are gone, which makes it that much easier of a decision.
If his technique is faulty that's a concern if the coaches don't believe they can change it; I don't care much at all about vague "character concerns." I'm looking to build an NFL football team, not a choir or boy scout troop.
Ego is fine, providing it is combined with will to win and the talent to back it up. Diva style ego that just wants it all to be about them is an entirely different thing.
Johnson is going to end up being a mid-late 1st rounder so barring a trade, he won’t be available for us. I pull the trigger on KT at 4. I partially believe these leaks are coming from a team hoping he falls out of the top 3 that needs edge help; thinking Jets or Giants. A team picking outside the top 5 knows they have no shot at him.
I dunno, I’ve seen some interviews and such with him and he doesn’t seem to have an ego that’s anything other than what I’d expect for a top prospect. Is it because he dresses a bit flashy? Thibodeaux is experiencing classic prospect fatigue. He was anointed as a sophomore, was a key for opposing offenses as a junior and suddenly he has a ton of flaws according to some people.
I trust the draft team does due diligence on each and every one we have a serious interest on, but particularly in the first two rounds. With the fourth pick, I want someone special with no nagging issues in his resume. Having an ego in an of itself to me is not a good enough reason, but if he is not as complete a player as we think with much work needed then move on. We have holes every where. Project is not a 4th pick consideration.
Kayvon is exactly the kind of player who drops to the Jets at 4, the Jets take him and he ends up so so or busting (like where Becton is trending)... A few picks later, a guy like Karlaftis gets picked and turns out like another Bosa... That’s how it almost always goes when your a Jets fan... let’s just be honest. BTW - I expect Karlaftis to dominate in off season workouts to a point where he moves into consideration as a top 5 pick but we’ll see, still early.
I get the excitement of drafting a top edge rusher for the 2022 draft. I believe if one is there when it's the Jets turn, they should go for it. However, we should temper expectations with the reality that even a first round pick edge rusher is not likely to achieve the production we hope for in their first 2 seasons. Edge 1st round selections, first 2 years in NFL sack totals, going back 6 years of draft Name Year Drafted 1st Year 2nd Year Jaelan Phillips 2021 8.5 -- K'wity Paye 2021 4 -- Payton Turner 2021 -- -- Gregory Rousseau 2021 4 -- Chase Young 2020 7.5 1.5 K'Lavon Chaisson 2020 1 1 Nick Bosa 2019 9 0 Clelin Ferrell 2019 4.5 2 Rashan Gary 2019 2 5 Montez Sweat 2019 7 9 L.J. Collier 2019 0 3 Josh Allen 2019 10.5 2.5 Bradley Chubb 2018 12 1 Marcus Davenport 2018 4.5 6 Myles Garrett 2017 7 13.5 Solomon Thomas 2017 3 1 Derek Barnett 2017 5 2,.5 Jonathan Allen 2017 1 8 Takkarist McKinley 2017 6 7 Taco Charlton 2017 3 1 TJ Watt 2017 7 13 Joey Bosa 2016 10.5 12.5 DeForest Buckner 2016 6 3 Shaq Lawson 2016 2 4 Edit: My table got collapsed but you can get the idea.
Like other positions, they take time to develop. By the time, this team is ready for a playoff run, whichever edge is taken needs to be ready to contribute. The more polished guys do tend to put up numbers right away.
Sorry...im NO on Thibodeaux. I just dont have faith in him, from what I see. Jermaine Johnson.....thats the type that will blow up this defense.
Given how short many players' careers are in the NFL, it's not a bad thing to think about life after football. There are too many stories about former players going broke for one reason or another. This does not change my view of Thibodeaux.
I think if Thib is there at #4 we shouldn't overthink it and should draft him. This guy was considered to be a lock for the #1 pick just a couple months ago.
