Kobe Baynes OG Kansas |
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| Jersey: #70 SUB-POSITION: Right Guard | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 03/23/2026 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2026 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FORTY time: 5.35 seconds (42%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jersey: #70 | |
| SUB-POSITION: Right Guard | |
| Last Updated: 03/23/2026 | |
| Draft Year: 2026 | |
| Forty time: 5.35 seconds (42%*) | |
| Overall Rating: | 81.2 / 100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
|
80% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Pass Blocking: |
|
81% |
| Run Blocking: |
|
77% |
|
DRAFT PROJECTION:
6th
Overall Rank:
#190
Position rank:
#41 (OL)
|
||
| College Games: 41 College Snaps: 1897 | ||
ESPN RATING: 79/100
College Combine Results
|
||
|
247 RATING: 85/100
|
||
|
RIVALS RATING: 5.5 (90%)
|
||
| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Marquis Hayes - Oklahoma |
|
98% |
| Matthew Jones - Ohio State |
|
85% |
| Walter Rouse - Oklahoma |
|
84% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Both offensive guard and defensive tackle were on Kobe Baynes' resume at Sandalwood High School in Jacksonville, Florida, where he earned first-team all-conference honors under coach Adam Geis. A three-star recruit across the board from Rivals, ESPN, and 247Sports, Baynes drew interest from Power Five programs including Florida State, Arkansas, Mississippi, and South Carolina. He ranked as the 62nd offensive guard nationally and the 124th overall prospect in the state of Florida. Baynes enrolled early at Louisville in 2020 but did not see game action before eventually transferring to Kansas.His first two seasons in Lawrence were spent learning the system and waiting his turn. Baynes appeared in just three games during 2022, getting his feet wet against Tennessee Tech, at Texas, and versus Kansas State. The 2023 campaign brought more opportunity as he played in 11 games and earned three starts, including action in the Jayhawks' bowl win over UNLV. That experience proved invaluable for what was to come, as he began developing the physical, scrappy identity that would define his play in the trenches.
Baynes took ownership of the right guard spot in 2024, starting all 12 games and helping Kansas average 211.4 rushing yards per game while allowing just 10 sacks as a unit. His senior year in 2025 brought individual recognition to match the on-field production. He started all 12 games again at right guard, earning All-Big 12 Honorable Mention from coaches and Second Team All-Big 12 from the AP. Over 41 career games and nearly 1,900 offensive snaps, Baynes established himself as a dependable, physical presence along the interior offensive line.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Exceptional 81.5-inch wingspan gives him natural advantages at the point of attack and allows him to redirect defenders with extended reach in pass protection.
- Plays with a nasty demeanor in the run game, finishing blocks through the whistle and looking for work on the second level when his initial assignment is handled.
- Two full seasons as a starter have refined his understanding of blocking schemes, line calls, and identifying defensive fronts pre-snap with consistency.
- Moves well laterally for a 315-pound interior lineman, showing quicker feet than his 5.30 forty time suggests when sliding to pick up stunts and twists.
- Pass blocking grades out at an excellent level, rarely allowing pressure up the middle and anchoring effectively against interior rushers who try to bull rush.
- Reliable hand placement in both phases keeps defenders from getting into his frame, using that length to steer defenders away from his quarterback.
- Run blocking production matches his aggressive mentality, consistently creating movement at the line of scrimmage and opening lanes for backs.
- Durability and availability stand out across his career with no notable injury history despite logging heavy snap counts over multiple seasons.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Average build for the position without much room to add mass. NFL defensive tackles will test that frame early and often.
- Testing numbers do not jump off the page. Quick-twitch interior rushers with legit get-off could give him fits at the next level.
- Late bloomer who needed time to develop. The upside feels capped compared to guys who dominated from day one in college.
- Big 12 competition has improved but he has not consistently faced the caliber of nose tackles and three-techs waiting for him on Sundays.
- Can get walked back when defenders win with counter moves. Needs to do a better job resetting his anchor after initial contact.
Scouting Report: Summary
Put the tape on and you see a guard who understands his assignment, plays with controlled aggression, and rarely beats himself with mental errors. Baynes is not going to wow anyone at the combine with explosive testing numbers or dominate one-on-one pass rush drills against top-tier defensive tackles. What he will do is show up every day, execute the scheme at a high level, and give his quarterback a clean pocket up the middle. That kind of reliability has real value for offensive line coaches building a cohesive unit.His skill set translates best to a gap or power-heavy scheme where he can work in combination with the center or tackle and use his length to seal off running lanes. Zone blocking systems that demand quick lateral movement and reaching the second level might expose his average athleticism, though his tape suggests he is more fluid than his testing would indicate. A team that wants to run the ball downhill and protect from the interior will find a lot to like about what Baynes brings to the table.
Here is the deal with Baynes: he is a quality starter at Kansas who profiles as a Day Three selection with potential to develop into a quality backup or spot starter at the NFL level. His pass protection grades are legitimately impressive, and his length creates issues for defensive tackles who want to work inside. The lack of elite physical traits caps his upside, but he has the foundation to stick on a roster and contribute meaningful snaps.
Kobe Baynes percentiles vs other Offensive Guards (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Kobe Baynes (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
225.3
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
51.0
*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.