Breaking down South Carolina Gamecocks edge rusher Kyle Kennard ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Usayd Koshul
(Photo: 247Sports)
As NFL Free Agency continues to slow down and all 32 franchises across the league look forward to the 2025 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears will be one of the most active teams on draft weekend. With four picks inside the top 75, general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson will have plenty of opportunities to add quality talent to the roster.
Set to be one of the deepest edge rusher classes in recent memory, Poles and Johnson could view the upcoming class as an opportunity to add even more pass rushers. Two second-round picks (No. 39 and No. 41) and three picks on day three allow the Bears to add a prospect who will join a rotation that already includes Montez Sweat, Dayo Odeyingbo, and 2024 fifth-round pick Austin Booker. It'd give defensive coordinator Dennis Allen a perfect mix of young players and veterans.
In what is a deep edge rusher class, one name that could really intrigue the Bears is South Carolina Gamecocks edge rusher Kyle Kennard, who possesses the length and strength that Allen could covet in a defensive end.
Let's get into our scouting report on Kennard.
Kyle Kennard, South Carolina, (6-foot-4, 254 pounds)
From his NFL.com draft profile via Lance Zierlein:
"Edge defender with reams of 2024 production to sift through. Kennard keeps his long frame clean with well-timed punches and has plus range as a playmaker. He can be slippery when he finds edges in either phase. He is frequently knocked off-balance at contact points, though. He will create pressure with his get-off and length alone but needs less predictable rush patterns and more hand skill to beat NFL tackles. He fits as a wide nine-technique, where he can avoid early contact and create rush momentum. He profiles as a Day 2 pick, but the tape creates enough concerns to lower the floor for his projection."
Film:
Strengths:
- Highly productive in college, spending four seasons at Georgia Tech before transferring to South Carolina for the 2024 season. Kennard finished with 24 sacks in college, including 11.5 during his final season.
- Will get even stronger at the next level with additional muscle added on.
- Gets off the football with ease and will get into the backfield quickly.
- Plays with a high motor when setting the edge and turning the corner.
- Solid run defender who can maintain gap integrity.
- Shows the ability to shed blocks and provide consistent pressure.
- Has no issues going one-on-one against offensive tackles who are on an island.
- Variety of pass rush moves that he uses to gain an advantage on opponents.
Weaknesses:
- Needs to be more consistent and much faster when shedding blocks.
- Lack of strength becomes very evident against bigger offensive linemen.
- Limited athleticism really pops up on tape.
- Can get knocked off balance, taking him out of the play entirely.
- Would benefit from adding some counter moves to his pass rush arsenal.
Final Thoughts:
There is a lot to like about Kennard's ability to turn into a solid pass rusher at the next level. But the lack of athleticism and strength means his projection is all over the place. For a player of his caliber, he could be selected on Friday night or he could fall to day three, where some franchise will hope to get a steal.
For the Bears, Kennard's limited athleticism likely pushes him down the board but if he does continue falling, with one pick in the fifth round, the front office could see him as an intriguing late-round add and a developmental project who can hopefully become a solid contributor in the near future.
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