2022 NFL DRAFT PROSPECT REPORT
- Name: Darian Kinnard
- Position: Interior Offensive Lineman
- School: Kentucky
- Height: 6'5"
- Weight: 322lbs
Film Watched: South Carolina 2021, Georgia 2021, NC State 2020
Pro's:
- Impressive size, with a solid thick lower half and huge long arms
- True road grader; the power, physicality and mindset to blast open running lanes
- Lives to bury opponents, with immense upper body strength to impose his will on contact
- Devastating hand power that allows him to control the rep from the first strike
- Stout anchor, and usually untroubled by being bullrushed
- Wingspan too big to pull outside to inside pass rush moves on – has his whole territory covered
- Impressive lateral mobility for a big man, and eager to get out in front on pull blocks
- Played right tackle for Kentucky and could offer emergency tackle versatility in a pinch
Darian Kinnard is a OT prospect in the 2022 draft class. He scored an unofficial 3.28 RAS at the Combine out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 771 out of 1146 OT from 1987 to 2022. https://t.co/cKN7pbbXwR #RAS via @Mathbomb pic.twitter.com/roceyChbGA
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 5, 2022
Con's:
- Lack of agility to reach good depth on pass sets makes for a projection to guard in the NFL
- Plays a little frenetic, and balance suffers as a result. Body over toes in pursuit of contact
- Hand technique needs serious work – too many misses, and sees them slide off blocks
- Footwork and hand timing not quite in sync, and can be manipulated by clever rushers
- Pad level can sneak up on him as a run blocker when he’s too eager to hit someone
The Verdict:
“They just make ‘em nasty in Lexington. Darian Kinnard played all three years at right tackle for Kentucky and did an admirable job against tough SEC opponents, using his aggression and size to browbeat run defenders into submission. For a big man, Kinnard can move - but on the outside against speed rushers his quicks and redirection speed will likely not stand up to the task in the NFL. Kick him inside to guard however, and his urgency and lateral agility will be more than sufficient for the shorter pass sets, and be a real asset for a power run offense looking to set the tone with a smashmouth run game. Kinnard has plenty of work to do with his hands, which when they land are brutal, but too often miss the target. Yet if he can find more consistency there, he has all the hallmarks of a long-term starter as an NFL interior lineman.”
Simon Carroll
Head Of NFL Draft Content
PREDICTION: 2ND ROUND PICK
5/5