[mm-video type=playlist id=01f27mq9z7hjgk6vc6 player_id=none image=https://duckswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]
Over the weekend, Oregon Ducks’ defensive star Kayvon Thibodeaux was thrown into the news cycle. It wasn’t for something that he did, but rather for something a few NFL draft analysts think he doesn’t do.
ESPN’s Todd McShay came out recently and posited whether Thibodeaux would be drafted in the top five of the first round this April. The crux of the question was Kayvon doesn’t play with the same fire some of the other prospects in this year’s class do.
[lawrence-related id=18910]
For much of the past year, we have thought of Thibodeaux was a lock to be drafted early and potentially go No. 1. He dealt with injuries early in the season and didn’t have the statistical end to his Oregon career we all wanted, but it’s clear he is an NFL-ready player.
After the criticism from McShay, Thibodeaux came out on social media and responded in a way you would expect.
Believe in yourself, even if you’re the only one💯🤷🏽♂️ https://t.co/YpFZarHgNQ
— Kayvon Thibodeaux (@kayvont) February 6, 2022
As the next couple of months roll along, it will be interesting to watch Thibodeaux’s draft stock as people react to these rumors about his work ethic. It is also important to remember Oregon legend Justin Herbert was judged to not be enough of a vocal leader coming out of college and was projected by many to be a bust. On Sunday, he won the AFC Offensive MVP award at the Pro Bowl and is one of the best players in the league after just two seasons.
So, take this all with a grain of salt. NFL draft analysis is a throwing darts kind of game. A lot of the time, you’re trying to make bold predictions about the future of a player when a couple of years of stats are all you have to go off of.
Sometimes you hit; other times you’re way off.
[listicle id=17625]