Lower than 4 weeks earlier than the draft, all 32 NFL groups had been in Eugene at Oregon’s professional day.
Whereas Anthony Brown, Jordan Happle and others participated in drills Friday afternoon, there was one participant everybody needed to see: defensive finish Kayvon Thibodeaux.
All through the pre-draft course of, Thibodeaux has had his on-the-field play and energy criticized by a few analysts. Some have even questioned Thibodeaux’s love for soccer.
However what’s the most ridiculous factor somebody has stated about Thibodeaux throughout the pre-draft course of?
“The most ridiculous thing I’ve heard is that I’m not the best player in this draft,” Thibodeaux informed reporters. “I really don’t listen to anything else, but that to me, that’s outrageous.
“With the movie, with the numbers and what I can do so far as my capability, I’ve confidence in what I can do.”
When Thibodeaux first announced his intentions of entering the 2022 NFL Draft, many thought he could potentially be the first player selected. But despite his 126 tackles, 35.5 tackles for loss and 19 sacks in three seasons at Oregon, he has dropped in many mock drafts.
It certainly didn’t help that Thibodeaux withdrew early from the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine after an official time of 4.58 seconds in the 40-yard dash, good for seventh-best of the 20 defensive ends who participated in the event.
Despite this, Thibodeaux is still the wild card of the draft. He could go as high as No. 2 to the Detroit Lions, whose general manager (Brad Holmes) attended Oregon’s pro day — or he could fall out of the top 10 altogether.
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The professional day drills gave Thibodeaux one final probability to make an awesome impression in entrance of scouts, coaches and normal managers. Whereas he did not run the 40-yard sprint once more, Thibodeaux did participate in particular person drills and recorded a broad leap of 9 toes, 11 inches.
Thibodeaux had one message for critics who have questions about his motor and effort entering the draft.
“It’s simple to see a snippet of one thing as a result of that is what media does,” Thibodeaux said. “They minimize stuff up and body it how they need to.
“Just watch the whole tape, you will be able to see.”
Contact Register-Guard sportswriter Antwan Staley at astaley@gannett.com and observe him on Twitter @antwanstaley.
This text initially appeared on Register-Guard: Kayvon Thibodeaux says he’s the best player in the 2022 NFL draft
