Michael Kilbane DL/EDGE Northwestern |
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| Jersey: #47 SUB-POSITION: VERSATILE DL | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 11/02/2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2027 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FORTY time: 4.84 seconds (71%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 21.11 DOB: 12/02/2004 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Jersey: #47 | |
| SUB-POSITION: VERSATILE DL | |
| Last Updated: 11/02/2026 | |
| Draft Year: 2027 | |
| Forty time: 4.84 seconds (71%*) | |
| Age: 21.11 DOB: 12/02/2004 | |
| Overall Rating: |
78.5 / 100
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|---|---|---|
| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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74% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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75% |
| Pass Rush: |
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83% |
| Run Defense: |
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82% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
UDFA
Overall Rank:
#284
Position rank:
#48 (DL)
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| College Games: 40 College Snaps: 1304 | ||
ESPN RATING: 78/100
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247 RATING: 87/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.8 (95%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah McGuire - Missouri |
|
82% |
| Keion White - Georgia Tech |
|
79% |
| Jeremiah Martin - Washington |
|
77% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Michael Kilbane set the St. Edward High School record with 37 career sacks, including 20.5 as a senior, when he also made 152 tackles. He won two state titles in Lakewood, Ohio, with four sacks in the 2022 final, and chose Northwestern over Penn State, Iowa and Indiana.Kilbane saw action in eight games in 2023 and added 2.5 sacks in 2024 and was named Academic All-Big Ten. He broke through in 2025 with 43 tackles, 3.5 sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss, earning honorable mention All-Big Ten.
As a senior in 2026, he has three sacks in seven games. He made six tackles in the 41-7 win over Colorado, then recorded a sack and forced a fumble in the 24-21 win at Michigan State, adding another sack and forced fumble against Rutgers in a 42-14 win.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Proven pass rusher who generated 42 pressures in 2025
- Forced fumbles in back-to-back wins over Michigan State and Rutgers
- Holds the point against the run, with six tackles against Colorado
- Plays with good power at the point and holds up against double teams
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Pressure numbers have dropped, with 12 in seven games after his big 2025
- Average bend limits his ability to flatten to the quarterback around the edge
- Did not play in the opener against South Dakota State, for reasons not disclosed
- Indiana limited him to a single pressure over 50 snaps
- Rarely asked to cover, and looks stiff when he drops
Scouting Report: Summary
Kilbane is a strong, productive edge defender who wins with power and effort. He sets the edge against the run, collapses the pocket when he gets his hands inside, and has a knack for taking the ball, with forced fumbles against Michigan State and Rutgers.However, his pressure numbers have dipped in 2026, and his lack of bend limits how often he wins around the corner. Indiana kept him quiet, and he is not a natural fit in coverage.
Overall, Kilbane is a reliable, physical edge with a long record of production. He projects as a priority free agent who could hold a spot as a base-down end with special teams value.
How other scouting services rate Michael Kilbane (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
303.5
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.