The 2022 NFL Draft is right around the corner, but we still have no sure idea on who could go first overall. Right now, the front office down in Jacksonville holds the pick and one of, if not their top needs is a defensive end. This upcoming Draft is rich with edge threat talent. Names like Kayvon Thibodeaux, Aiden Hutchinson, George Karlaftis, David Ojabo, Travon Walker, Jermaine Johnson and so many more are looking to fly off the board in early rounds. Two seem to stand out the most — Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux and Michigan’s Aiden Hutchinson. Hutchinson seemed to become an overnight superstar considering his season was cut short in 2020 after a season-ending ankle injury in just the third game of the year.
Both are outstanding edge threats, but who will the Jags target? Let’s take a deep dive into the two players:
Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon, EDGE:
Kayvon Thibodeaux, raised in Los Angeles, California, had a sensational career at Oregon. Thibodeaux posted 19 sacks and 122 total tackles, with 82 of them being solo tackles. He made tons of incredible plays despite being double-teamed for the majority of the 2021 season.
Being dubbed a “Game-Wrecker” is not something that happens often. A Game-Wrecker is someone who is accounted for by the offense every single play of the game because if he isn’t, bad things happen. Simply. His frame is best suited for a 4-3 defense but he can play in an odd front effectively as well. He has an absolutely incredible first step off the line of scrimmage that will translate extremely well into NFL defenses. His hand-fighting is a mix of speed, finesse, and pure power. He hits offensive tackles with a simple bull rush, or maybe even a swim move, but why not both?
Thibodeaux’s flexibility at the position is very mature and very much so “NFL-Ready”. He plays the game with great football IQ, great anticipation, and outstanding effort. With much more that can be said about Thibodeaux, he will most definitely be a starting edge threat on any squad he is picked up by.
Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan, EDGE:
Aiden Hutchinson grew up in Plymouth, Michigan, decided to stay in-state, and has since dominated for the Wolverine defense. His 6’6, 266-pound stature helped boost him en route to 18.5 sacks and over 150 tackles in his career with Michigan.
He has been known to be flexible when it comes to being out-wide, starting possibly from a two or three-point stance along with owning one of the best first steps in College Football. He plays plenty like TJ Watt from the Pittsburgh Steelers when it comes to his motor because he never stops going.
The relentless #97 for the Maize and Blue helped lead the team to a College Football Playoff appearance this year. He also held a seat in New York for the Heisman Trophy, which is awarded to the best player in all of college football. He was the centerpiece in the Michigan defense where he led not only with his pads, but his voice as well. Hutchinson is a natural-born leader, helping yell out signals, picking up his squad on the sideline, and is one play away from a major momentum shift. He is an every-down defensive lineman and will become an automatic leader and will latch on perfectly with any team he is drafted by.
So obviously, the Jaguars have a difficult decision to make come April. Both players have flipped back and forth on big boards, though Hutchinson has recently seemed to be the frontrunner for being that first name called on Draft night. The NFL Combine could confirm this, or the names could be flipped again, but nonetheless, it will show the sheer athleticism both of these “Game-Wreckers” possess.
