Kaimon Rucker DE/EDGE North Carolina | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Kaimon Rucker DE/EDGE North Carolina
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
SUB-POSITION: EDGE RUSHER | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Last Updated: 09/21/2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Draft Year: 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
40 time: 4.79 seconds (59%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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SUB-POSITION: EDGE RUSHER | |
Last Updated: 09/21/2024 | |
Draft Year: 2025 | |
40 time: 4.79 seconds (59%*) | |
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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Overall Rating: | 73.9 / 100 | |
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Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
Offense Rating: |
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78% |
Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
Tackling: |
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69% |
Pass Rush: |
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87% |
Run Defense: |
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69% |
DRAFT PROJECTION:
UDFA
Overall Rank:
#342
Position rank:
#59
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College Games: 53 College Snaps: 2229 | ||
College Combine Results
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Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
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Tyreke Smith - Ohio State |
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85% |
Solomon Byrd - USC |
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81% |
Khalid Duke - Kansas State |
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81% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Kaimon Rucker, a senior defensive lineman from North Carolina, has steadily improved his game throughout his college career. The Hart County High School product arrived in Chapel Hill as a three-star recruit and worked his way up to become a key contributor on the Tar Heels' defense. Rucker's journey from a rotational player to a Second-Team All-ACC selection showcases his determination and development.Standing at 6'2" and weighing 265 pounds, Rucker may not possess the prototypical size for an NFL edge rusher, but he's made up for it with his relentless motor and football IQ. His senior season was a breakout campaign, racking up 61 tackles, 8.5 sacks, and 15 tackles for loss. Rucker's production caught the eye of talent evaluators, particularly his knack for disrupting plays in the backfield.
Rucker's journey to becoming a defensive standout wasn't without its challenges. He gradually increased his role each season, starting with spot duty as a freshman before becoming a full-time starter in his final year.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Exceptional burst off the line, consistently threatening the outside shoulder of offensive tackles and creating pressure
- Displays impressive agility for his size, allowing him to bend the edge and close on quarterbacks quickly
- Versatile defender capable of lining up in various techniques, from 5-tech to wide-9, showcasing scheme flexibility
- Demonstrates a high football IQ, consistently diagnosing plays and reacting quickly to offensive schemes
- Utilizes a diverse array of pass-rush moves, including an effective two-hand swipe that keeps blockers off-balance
- Shows good ankle flexion when turning the corner, allowing him to flatten to the quarterback efficiently
- Possesses a non-stop motor, consistently pursuing plays from the backside and wearing down opponents
- Improved tackling technique throughout his college career, showing ability to wrap up and finish plays
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Lacks ideal length for an edge defender, which can be exploited by longer-armed offensive tackles in pass protection
- Struggles to consistently anchor against the run due to his tweener size, potentially limiting his early-down effectiveness in the NFL
- Pass rush plan can become predictable, relying too heavily on speed rushes without countering inside moves
- Inconsistent play strength at the point of attack, sometimes getting washed out of plays when engaged directly
- May need to add functional strength to handle NFL-caliber offensive linemen on a regular basis
Scouting Report: Summary
Rucker projects as a situational pass rusher at the next level, with the potential to develop into a more complete player. His skill set is best suited for a 3-4 scheme where he can utilize his quickness off the edge without the responsibility of setting the edge on every down. Teams running multiple fronts will value his versatility to rush from different alignments.While Rucker's size may limit his every-down potential early in his career, his production against high-level competition cannot be ignored. His ability to create pressure (41 pressures in his senior season) will intrigue teams looking for a developmental edge rusher. Rucker's best path to early playing time will likely come as a designated pass rusher in sub-packages, where his burst and agility can be maximized.
As Rucker transitions to the NFL, his work ethic and steady improvement throughout his college career bode well for his future. If he can continue to refine his technique and add strength without sacrificing his quickness, Rucker has the potential to outperform his draft position and become a valuable contributor to an NFL defense.
Written By:
Felix Green (ACC)
Kaimon Rucker percentiles vs other Defensive Ends (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Kaimon Rucker (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
195.5
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
43.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.