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Rookie Spotlight: Kevin Dodd

By Will Lomas

Nov 21, 2015; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive end Kevin Dodd (98) celebrates after sacking Wake Forest Demon Deacons quarterback John Wolford (10) during the third quarter at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive end Kevin Dodd (98) celebrates after sacking Wake Forest Demon Deacons quarterback John Wolford (10) during the third quarter at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports /
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Do you remember the Tennessee Titans draft class? The first names that come to your mind are probably guys like Jack Conklin, Derrick Henry, Tajae Sharpe and Kevin Byard.

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Sure, if you are really keeping up with the Titans you probably even know that Sebastian Tretola is going to get his chance to make an impact today at left guard and that LeShaun Sims and Kalan Reed are battling to earn a spot on this active roster as the 5th cornerback.

However one name that many (including myself) continue to forget is Kevin Dodd. You remember him now right? 33rd pick in the draft? Dominated the CFB Championship game? Yep, that’s the one.

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    • Some of you may know that I do a lot of work with the NFL Draft, and I am not sure I have shared this yet so in case you missed it here is my scouting report for Kevin Dodd from before the 2016 NFL Draft:

    Kevin Dodd

    6’5” 277 lb.

    DE, Clemson

    Games Watched: Oklahoma, Alabama, Louisville

    Pros

    -Runs through contact very well.

    -Has played 5-tech, 3-tech, DE, and stand up EDGE. All of them pretty well.

    -Strong hands and core.

    -Great “feel” for what blockers are trying to do. Finds screens quickly and takes the best route to the QB.

    Cons

    -Doesn’t have great closing speed.

    -Not refined in his ability to disengage.

    Summary

    -An athletic defensive end that has strong hands and a strong core, but still needs some developing. He reminds me a lot of Adrian Clayborn when he came out, a hard-nosed prospect that can handle his business in the running game and can win against the pass. He won’t be the first guy to the QB often, especially around the edge, but when he gets there he cleans up and he will be a 6 sack guy from year one in my opinion. Put him opposite an edge rusher that forces the QB to move and he will make him pay.

    Grade: Late 1st, Early 2nd (27th overall player)

    I really liked Dodd coming out as you can see. He was my 5th highest rated EDGE player, but he is far from the traditional speed rusher that fans are used to seeing go in the top-40 picks. He has doesn’t do a lot of speed-to-power rushes, but he is a constant presence in the backfield of opposing QBs.

    I will say is again, but Dodd’s strength is his ability in the running game. He is a stout run defender who rarely gets moved out of his gap and whose strong hands usually make him the aggressor. I like a bully on the defensive line, especially one who gives 100% effort.

    What I like, and where I think he will make money on this team, is that he is the guy who cleans up when another player misses or forces a quarterback into a bad position. With Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan opposite him, Jurrell Casey inside and blitzers like Sean Spence, Wesley Woodyard, Daimion Stafford, and Avery Williamson I think he could rack up those sacks and assist sacks.

    All of those words just preface the fact that tonight will be his first game. I think he is very much a finished product and that he will be a solid contributor early. With that said, Oakland has done an outstanding job keeping Carr’s jersey clean through two games allowed zero sacks to him and only one sack among all of their quarterbacks.

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    Kevin Dodd has the potential to make a name for himself today if he can make a negative play or two, and if he can bring down Carr he would be the first player to do that rookie or otherwise. That would be a nice feather in his cap in his first game and it would go a long way towards building his confidence.

    With this team struggling to replace Derrick Morgan last year when he went down, the emergence of Dodd could be huge. If he plays like I think he can, then while he may not have flashy stats he could be a key piece in this defense.

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