Sliding to guard seems inevitable for Darian Kinnard

Darian Kinnard was a war daddy for Kentucky football over the last two seasons. The right tackle started 39 consecutive games for the Wildcats and was named a consensus first-team All-American in 2021.

Kinnard has been one of the best offensive line players in the SEC over the last three years. The draft prospect feels like a safe bet to be a second-round pick at the 2022 NFL Draft. However, it might not be at his normal position.

There has been much draft scuttlebutt about where Kinnard will land at the next level. At the Senior Bowl, the Cleveland (Ohio) St. Ignatius product played exclusively right tackle, but pass protection against edge rushers was an issue. Darian Kinnard now seems open to slide inside.

“I’m coming in to do a job, and if they say ‘hey, you’re going to play guard’ at the end of the day all I need is some reps at that,” Kinnard told the media in Indianapolis about potentially sliding to guard. “I have enough confidence and enough experience playing football that I can come in and get reps and do well.’

That openness was surprising. The star offensive tackle at Kentucky measured in at 6-foot-4 and 324 pounds with hands over 11 inches and arm length over 35 inches. Those are good measurements for a tackle, but Darian Kinnard is more suited to playing with power.

“Biggest strength is run game for sure,” said Kinnard when asked about his strengths as a player. “I need technical work — for sure pass game. I think how aggressive I am coming off the ball and always wanting first contact. I think moving 3 techs is the strongest part of my game. Getting on double teams.

Those traits would be best suited in a gap scheme or heavy inside zone rush attack. Darian Kinnard is at his best when being asked to move bodies with power, taking on pass rushers head-on, and not having to win with angles on stretch plays or with footwork in pass protection. The Kentucky product might even be more comfortable inside.

“I think for now, with my weight, they’d probably put me outside just because I’m 321 right now,” Kinnard said. “But if I go back to getting about 330 I think they’ll slide me inside just because it’s the best way to get experience before trying to go outside and work with those smaller guys who are a lot faster and more explosive and more athletic than we are.

Darian Kinnard believes that his best playing weight is 330 pounds. Due to his strengths — ability to anchor in pass protection and drive block in run schemes — the former four-star recruit appears to be heading to a new position as he begins his professional career.