Darian Kinnard is an offensive tackle from the University of Kentucky. This is Around the Block Network’s Darian Kinnard scouting report.
Background
Darian Kinnard was born in Ohio and raised in Tennessee. Eventually, he moved to Cleveland, Ohio to play at St Ignatius High School, which was a football power. At the end of his high school career, he was rated as a four-star recruit by ESPN and chose the University of Kentucky as his college. Kinnard chose the Wildcats over some other top schools like Penn State and UCLA.
He played early at Kentucky, and as a sophomore, he locked up the starting right tackle job. Kinnard thrived at both tackle spots in his college career, and was rewarded with numerous honors for his play, including an All-American nomination. He also earned a spot as an Outland Trophy semifinalist.
Darian Kinnard Scouting Report
Strengths
- At nearly 6’5″ and 324 lbs (Senior Bowl), he has the size to play at the next level.
- He has huge, powerful hands that he uses effectively to control pass rushers of all sorts.
- Kinnard has a great understanding of leverage. He uses his size and strength, and good footwork to anchor as well as any player in this draft.
- He’s graced with great length, with arms that measured nearly 35 inches at the Senior Bowl.
- He can dominate in the run game. He moves better than it looks like he should be able to, and he loves to put guys on the ground.
- With three years under his belt as a starter in the SEC, he has big-game experience.
- If he plays tackle in the NFL, he does move well laterally, and with his length, would be able to matchup with speed rushers pretty well.
Weaknesses
- Kinnard can be inconsistent with his hands. He has occasional missed punches and hand placement issues.
- There are some technical refinements needed if he is to be a tackle, which is why many see him as a guard in the NFL.
- His footwork can be sloppy at times in pass sets.
Darian Kinnard Scouting Report Summary
Overall, there is a ton to like in the scouting report about Darian Kinnard. His length and power can’t be taught, and his experience against NFL talent every week is important. He has natural gifts others just don’t have.
His ability to get out in the run game and block downfield is something NFL coaches will covet. The mean streak he brings will have offensive line coaches drooling. He could wind up hearing his name called on day one of the NFL Draft.
The positives to Kinnard’s game are impossible to ignore. Whether at guard or at tackle, he projects as a starting NFL offensive lineman and could wind up a dominant one.
Grade: 8.0/10.0 (second round)
Comparison: Cordy Glenn (player comparison courtesy of Scott Carasik)
