Oregon edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux reveals interesting comparison for himself at NFL Combine

Coming into the season, Oregon Ducks edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux was viewed as the top prospect in the 2022 NFL Draft. Now, as the draft process continues to trek on, Thibodeaux’s stock might not be as high as it once was. Regardless, Thibodeaux remains confident in himself and his abilities.

At the NFL Combine, Thibodeaux had a bold and interesting comparison for himself, putting himself right there with a former top overall selection.

“I feel like I’m Jadeveon (Clowney) 2.0,” Thibodeaux said, via The Draft Network’s Kyle Crabbs.

The comparison to a South Carolina legend in Jadeveon Clowney is certainly a lofty one for Thibodeaux, as Clowney was a dominating prospect out of South Carolina. In three years with the Gamecocks, Clowney had 120 total tackles with 47 tackles for loss, 24 sacks, and nine forced fumbles. He was selected first overall in the 2014 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans. Clowney has bounced around a bit since making it to the NFL, but that doesn’t change the fact that he was a generational type of prospect in his draft class.

This past season, Thibodeaux totaled 49 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, seven sacks, and two forced fumbles. In three years at Oregon, he racked up 126 tackles, 35.5 tackles for loss, 19 sacks, and three forced fumbles.

Thibodeaux is looking to silence his critics ahead of the NFL Draft

It appears as if Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson has surpassed Thibodeaux on most NFL Draft boards at this point in the process. Thibodeaux is still likely to be a top five pick, but he is no longer one of the few unquestioned top prospects in the class.

ESPN’s Todd McShay has Thibodeaux going fifth overall to the New York Giants in his latest NFL mock draft, as does ESPN’s Mel Kiper. NFL Network analyst Bucky Brooks tabbed Thibodeaux as the third overall pick to the Houston Texans in his latest mock.

McShay has shared some concerns about Thibodeaux throughout the NFL Draft process. He believes that the talent is there with Thibodeaux, but the tape doesn’t always back that up.

“Listen, it’s what I see on tape and when I talk to guys … in the league who are evaluating players,” McShay said. “Kind of the same feeling. Yeah, he’s a great player. There’s no question. Bottom line, he may be the most talented player in this draft. He was the most talented high school recruit.

“He came into Oregon and when he was on the field and when he was healthy and when he was dialed in, this guy’s special. He’s long, he’s powerful and he can work through blockers. … There’s no question he’s got the talent, but the tape’s a little bit up and down.”