2016 NFL Draft Profile: Kevin Dodd, DE Clemson

Clemson defensive end Kevin Dodd looks to be a fringe first round talent in the 2016 NFL Draft, but will the Minnesota Vikings call his name on day one?

Kevin Dodd has made a name for himself at Clemson despite being overshadowed by teammate Shaq Lawson. That said, Dodd has found himself being elevated to a fringe first round talent in the 2016 NFL Draft by consistently working hard and being productive.

As for positive things about Dodd, there are many. He has an NFL ready frame and many of the physical traits that will help him succeed at the professional level. A hard-working attitude and a non-stop motor only add to his great field vision and awareness.

However, he may need some help adjusting to the professional game. He is still raw and needs time to develop pass rush moves and figure out how to better use his hands when fighting for position. A more explosive start off the snap will be needed as well, or else he could become neutralized by blockers who establish dominance early, however more patience is needed to not fall into anticipated patterns.

Here are Clemson defensive end Kevin Dodd’s numbers from the events at the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine according to NFL.com:

Jan 9, 2016; Scottsdale , AZ, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive end Kevin Dodd (98) looks on during practice at Scottsdale Community College. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

Height: 6’5″

Weight: 277 pounds

Arm Length: 34″

Hand Size: 10″

40 Yard Dash: 4.86 seconds

Bench Press: N/A

Vertical Jump: N/A

Broad Jump: N/A

3 Cone Drill: N/A

20 Yard Shuttle: N/A

Kevin Dodd compares to:

CBS Sports: Kony Ealy, Panthers
NFL.com: Michael Bennett, Seahawks

Fit for the Minnesota Vikings:

Minnesota loves stockpiling pass rushers and if somehow Kevin Dodd slides to the second round, his raw talent could be something that intrigues head coach Mike Zimmer. However, there are much more pressing needs, with two established starters and several promising backups at defensive end already on the roster.

Next: 5 WR options for the Vikings in the 2016 NFL Draft

My Take:

It’s not that I don’t like Dodd, I just don’t see the need or the value of him in the first two rounds of the draft. Instead, those picks should be used to find starters or bring in competition at other positions to help make the team as a whole stronger. Kevin Dodd has the potential to be a solid NFL player, but gambling on a pass rusher when there are more pressing needs seems like a bad idea, especially for a young team hoping to make some noise in the next couple of years.

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