W/ the 7th pick The Panthers Select a gamecock... I said gamecock !!!!
Javon Kinlaw - DT
Prospect Info
COLLEGE
South Carolina
HOMETOWN
CLASS
Charleston, SC
Senior
HEIGHT
WEIGHT
ARMS
6' 5"
324 lbs
34 7/8”
HANDS
10 1/2”
Prospect Grade
6.70
YEAR 1 QUALITY STARTER
HOW WE GRADE
i
VIEW ALL PROSPECTS
Player Bio
Kinlaw showed great promise at Jones County Junior College in 2016, garnering second-team Junior College All-America honors (26 tackles, 8.5 for loss, four sacks in nine games). He got his body into shape after arriving in Columbia, though, shedding 40 pounds so he could contribute in all 13 games as a sophomore for the Gamecocks (20 tackles, two for loss, three pass breakups, one blocked kick, 10 starts). Kinlaw started 12 games in 2018, sharing the team's Defensive MVP award (38 tackles, 10 for loss, 4.5 sacks, five pass breakups). He missed the Belk Bowl, however, as he recovered from hip surgery. Kinlaw reached his potential as a senior, earning first-team Associated Press All-America and first-team All-SEC honors even though his defensive production (35 tackles, six sacks in 12 starts) did not exactly match how dominant he was at times.
Analysis
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
NFL Comparison
***Michael Brockers***
Overview
For a player with so many elite physical traits, Kinlaw's tape was much more inconsistent than expected. He had moments where he was able to use his size, length and power to overwhelm opponents, but poor pad level and an inability to harness his energy coming off the snap led to body control and balance issues that prevented him from reaching his full potential. He can be a disruptive force along the interior with that explosive first step and freaky physical gifts, but utilizing his heavy hands and plus length as a read-and-react 3-4 end might allow for improved technique, control and consistency. No matter the front, Kinlaw's traits and potential could make him a solid starter early in his career.
Strengths
- Built to intimidate with exceptional physical traits
- Thickly muscled with long arms and good lean mass
- Menacing bull-rusher
- Forceful charge requires two blockers to stall pocket collapse
- Heavy, violent hands to jolt his foes
- Flashes "club and (hip) flip" to pull himself past the block
- Explosive first step
- Lateral quickness to beat reach blocks and spill it wide
- Plays high snap total, but motor rarely cools
- Muddies pass protection with forceful picks on tackle/end twists
- Length and power to stack and shed
- Offers scheme/position versatility due to unique size and traits
Weaknesses
- Gets off the ball a tick slow
- Playing style lacks control and efficiency
- Looks great but lacks technique for consistency
- High-cut and straight-legged into engagement
- Struggles to absorb down blocks and hold his ground
- Pads get turned when sliding laterally, causing loss of leverage and fit
- Inconsistent use of hands to control point of attack
- Rushes in with wild charge instead of moves and counters
- Attacks blocks with inconsistent base and balance