Chiefs scouting report: South Carolina Gamecocks DE Kyle Kennard
The Kansas City Chiefs attempted to elevate their defensive line by drafting explosive pass rushers several times in recent years. It’s time for general manager Brett Veach to take another bite of the apple and target a new sack artist in this 2025 NFL draft’s deep edge rusher class.
South Carolina Gamecocks defensive end Kyle Kennard won the SEC’s Defensive Player of the Year award in 2024 after amassing 11.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. Kennard is 6’4’’, 254 lbs. with 34’’ arms. He projects as an early-career designated pass rusher who could transition into a full-time role once he expands his pass rush arsenal.
Kennard primarily wins with his speed and explosiveness. His pass rush plan includes twitchy chops, rips, spins and two-handed swipes. Kennard attacks the B-gap with a straight speed rush or uses euro steps to soften the lineman’s inside shoulder. He pushes vertically to widen the B-gap before breaking inside or uses his long arms to pry open inside rush lanes.
Kennard uses chop and swipe counters with his long-arm to keep his pass rush alive after his bull rush fades. He displayed some flashes of speed to power while working against LSU Tigers star left tackle Will Campbell. Kennard must improve his power profile to maximize his length and diversify his rush plan.
All highlights and plays I found interesting from South Carolina's Kyle Kennard (No. 5) vs. LSU last week. Would've been a great day if not for all the penalties. The 2025 NFL Draft is fairly open when it comes to Day 3 edge rushers. #NFLDraft#NFLDraft2025#2025NFLDraftpic.twitter.com/zg8OFDBXjA
— Sam Teets (@Sam_Teets33) September 21, 2024
Kennard plays an undisciplined style of football that resulted in 18 penalties over the past three seasons. Hip stiffness prevents him from providing a consistent threat off the edge. He struggles to bend around the offensive tackle’s outside shoulder and often finds himself driven out of plays. Kennard needs to learn advanced rush moves to become more than just a speed rusher.
Kennard doesn’t offer much value in run defense. He fails to hold the point of attack and struggles to break the offensive lineman’s clamp. Kennard doesn’t separate from blocks in a timely fashion and needs to improve his hand placement to stack blocks and keep linemen out of his frame.
Kennard earned several significant SEC and national awards after his final season with the Gamecocks, but he’s only a borderline top 15 edge rusher in the 2025 NFL draft. His lack of power and reliance on speed limits his ceiling as a prospect. If the Chiefs trade back, they could select him in the third round or the top of the fourth round.
This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: 2025 NFL draft scouting report: South Carolina DE Kyle Kennard
-
Chiefs scouting report: Texas Longhorns WR Isaiah Bond
The Kansas City Chiefs could add Texas Longhorns wide receiver Isaiah Bond to their offense in the third round of the 2025 NFL draft.Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Chiefs scouting report: Kansas State Wildcats CB Jacob Parrish
The Kansas City Chiefs could select Kansas State Wildcats cornerback Jacob Parrish in the 2025 NFL draft to improve their secondary.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Chiefs scouting report: Virginia Tech Hokies WR Jaylin Lane
The Kansas City Chiefs should consider targeting Virginia Tech Hokies wide receiver Jaylin Lane on the third day of the 2025 NFL draft.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Chiefs scouting report: Penn State Nittany Lions TE Tyler Warren
Kansas City Chiefs fans should familiarize themselves with Penn State Nittany Lions tight end and 2025 NFL draft superstar Tyler Warren.Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Arkansas vs. South Carolina prediction, odds, time: 2025 SEC Tournament picks, March 12 bets by proven model
SportsLine's model simulated the South Carolina Gamecocks vs. John Calipari's Arkansas Razorbacks in the 2025 SEC Tournament first round on Wednesday 10,000 timesCBS Sports - Mar. 12 -
South Carolina vs. Texas odds, free women's college basketball picks: Longhorns cover in 2025 SEC Tournament
SportsLine's Calvin Wetzel and Aaron Barzilai revealed their picks for Texas Longhorns vs. South Carolina Gamecocks in the 2025 SEC Women's Tournament final on SundayCBS Sports - Mar. 9 -
OU baseball vs South Carolina live score updates from Sooners-Gamecocks
OU baseball faces South Carolina in a series-clinching Game 3 at 12:30 p.m. CT from Founders Park in Columbia, South Carolina, on SEC Network+.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Kyle McCord NFL Draft 2025 profile: Full scouting report, pro comparison, landing spots, future outlook, more
Everything to know about Syracuse QB Kyle McCordCBS Sports - 1d -
March Madness 2025 odds, lines, favorites: South Carolina opens women's tournament as a slight favorite over UConn
The Gamecocks are +270 to win it all but aren't the No. 1 overall seed.Yahoo Sports - 2d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Fantasy Baseball: Top pitcher fades for 2025
Fantasy baseball analyst Dalton Del Don sheds light on some key pitchers who are being drafted too early in 2025.Yahoo Sports - 21m -
Emma Raducanu vs Sayaka Ishii LIVE: Miami Open latest score and updates
Britain’s No 2 is first in action on the Hard Rock Stadium courtYahoo Sports - 24m -
Emma Raducanu vs Sayaka Ishii LIVE: Miami Open latest score and updates
Britain’s No 2 is first in action on the Hard Rock Stadium courtYahoo Sports - 24m -
Hello again! Players return to March Madness, this time playing for new teams
One year after Terrence Edwards and Chucky Hepburn played against each other in the NCAA Tournament, they are experiencing March Madness again as teammates at an entirely different school. This is ...Yahoo Sports - 24m -
Hello again! Players return to March Madness, this time playing for new teams
One year after Terrence Edwards and Chucky Hepburn played against each other in the NCAA Tournament, they are experiencing March Madness again as teammates at an entirely different school. This is ...Yahoo Sports - 24m
More in Sports
-
Why Rory McIlroy's early form legitimizes belief that Masters win, career grand slam will finally come in 2025
McIlroy has two wins entering April for the first time in his career; more complete and confident, is Rory finally ready to win at Augusta National?CBS Sports - 16m -
Why Rory McIlroy's early form legitimizes belief that Masters win, career grand slam will finally come in 2025
McIlroy has two wins entering April for the first time in his career; more complete and confident, is Rory finally ready to win at Augusta National?CBS Sports - 16m -
Nine big 2025 NBA Draft questions the NCAA Tournament may help answer—including Johni Broome's pro outlook
From Cooper Flagg to Johni Broome and even small-school stars, here's what to know for the NCAA TournamentCBS Sports - 16m -
Nine big 2025 NBA Draft questions the NCAA Tournament may help answer—including Johni Broome's pro outlook
From Cooper Flagg to Johni Broome and even small-school stars, here's what to know for the NCAA TournamentCBS Sports - 16m -
NCAA Basketball Tournament 2025: Surprising bracket upset picks, March Madness advice, strategy, predictions
SportsLine's model has revealed its last-minute bracket advice for 2025 NCAA bracket contestsCBS Sports - 16m