Darian Kinnard NFL Draft Overview
Position: Guard in NFL, Tackle in college
Height: 6′-5″
Weight: 322 pounds
School: Kentucky
Darian Kinnard 2022 NFL Draft Profile
After spending the past four years at Kentucky, offensive lineman Darian Kinnard has declared for the 2022 NFL Draft. Kinnard is coming off of yet another strong season at right tackle, playing 825 snaps while allowing just one sack, two hits, and four hurries.
Kinnard originally joined the college football world as a four-star recruit. Signing with Kentucky, the Ohio native spent his true freshman year on the bench before earning a starting job in 2019. As a true sophomore, Kinnard allowed four sacks and eight hurries on 706 snaps. In 2020, he allowed two sacks, two hits, and seven hurries in 698 snaps.
Strengths
- Huge, huge body – not going to get moved around easily;
- Force of nature as a run blocker – stronger than every defensive lineman he faced;
- Physical player that isn’t shy about imposing his will on the opponents;
- Insane torque – moves defenders out of gaps with ease for open running lanes;
- Started at right tackle in college and can fill in if catastrophe strikes;
- Solid pull blocker.
Weaknesses
- Does not have the quickness or agility for tackle – will have to move to guard;
- Inexperienced as a pass blocker with incredibly raw technique;
- Not a rangy player, as evidenced by his subpar testing numbers;
- Can be beaten with quickness – not the fastest guy;
- Hands get too wide – needs to keep them on defenders chest;
- Sloggy feet are an issue when blocking in space.
NFL Comparison: Shaq Mason
Teams With Need at Position: Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Minnesota Vikings, Carolina Panthers, Washington Commanders
Projection: Round 3
Bottom Line on Darian Kinnard
Darian Kinnard is the last thing any defensive lineman wants to see on a running play. He knows how to use every last ounce of his 6′-5″, 322-pound frame to absolutely demolish any defensive player that gets in his way. He has the size and strength to match up with just about anyone, and the aggression and heart to carry the block through the play and put the defender on the ground when it’s all said and done. If you like old school football, go watch some of Kinnard’s highlights. While Kinnard’s pancakes are the most enjoyable, he also excels at turning linemen out of their gaps and opening huge holes for the running back.
Kinnard is a force of nature in the running game, but he still has a lot of work to do as a pass blocker. Kentucky ran the ball more than just about anyone in 2019 and 2020, and that lack of experience shows up on Kinnard’s tape. Additionally, while Kinnard has the muscle to match any player in the league, he lacks the quickness to hold up to speedier rushers. This is why he’ll have to move to guard at the NFL level – interior defenders can get away with subpar quickness, but tackles cannot.
Ultimately, Darian Kinnard is a Day 1 starter on running downs and a practice squad player on passing downs. Much like when Shaq Mason came out in 2015, the right team will be able to use him situationally as a rookie with the goal of developing him into an all-around great player down the line. Obviously, there is no guarantee that Kinnard will develop like Mason did, but he’s well worth the gamble in the third round.
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