The tried and true belief in the NFL is that games are won and lost in the trenches. Finding quality players for your defensive line is a priority for every team, every year. The fastest way to the quarterback is a straight line, and teams who can generate consistent interior pressure fare quite well in the biggest moments.
Keondre Coburn is a 2023 NFL Draft prospect hoping some team feels he can be a piece that comes in and provides the ability to disrupt the opponents’ rhythm. If all goes well, the defensive tackle may hear his name called during the NFL Draft. However, he may have an uphill climb. Below, you’ll find everything you need to know about Coburn in his scouting report.
Keondre Coburn NFL Draft Profile
- Position: DT
- School: Texas
- Year: Senior
In high school, Coburn put up a big-time résumé. He played for head coach Matt Meekins at Westfield High School. He was selected as an All-American, earned all-district honors three times, and played in the 2018 Under Armour All-America Game.
He earned Defensive Player of the Year honors from the Touchdown Club of Houston in 2017 and was named District 16-6A Defensive MVP and first-team all-district. Additionally, he was listed as No. 9 in the Austin American-Statesman Fab 55 and No. 10 in the Houston Chronicle’s Top 100. He was rated 47th nationally and sixth overall in Texas by ESPN.
As a true freshman, Coburn played in three games to maintain a redshirt. As a redshirt freshman, he played in all 13 games and started 12 times. In those 13 games, he registered 26 tackles (18 solo), 4.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, and one forced fumble.
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In his redshirt sophomore year, Coburn earned All-Big 12 honorable mention and started in all 10 games. He logged 25 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, one sack, two pass breakups, and one quarterback hurry.
He was once again an All-Big 12 honorable mention and played in all 12 games with 11 starts as a redshirt junior. He recorded 15 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, one quarterback hurry, and collected his first career blocked kick.
In his final year in school, Coburn had perhaps his best year yet, adding some hardware to his mantle. He was named a second-team All-Big 12 selection by both the coaches and the Associated Press.
Additionally, Coburn was named honorable mention Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year by the league’s coaches. He played in 13 games with 12 starts, totaling 28 tackles, three tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and two quarterback hurries.
Tony Pauline’s Scouting Report for Keondre Coburn
Strengths: Quick, explosive defensive tackle with outstanding size. Fires off the snap with a quick first step, consistently gets leverage on opponents, and is tough to knock off the point.
Immediately gets his hands up, easily changes direction, and gets down the line of scrimmage or outside the box to make plays. Moves well around the field, possesses a burst of closing speed, and flashes power in his lower body. Attracts a lot of double-team blocks.
Weaknesses: Tied up at the point by a single blocker too often. Marginally productive and ineffective as a pass rusher.
Overall: Coburn is a wide-bodied defensive tackle with above-average athleticism and movement skills. His game never progressed the way I thought possible since his sophomore season, and he’s disappointed scouts in a lot of ways. Coburn comes with terrific upside and scheme versatility, but he must quickly elevate his game and play to the level scouts believe he can.
Keondre Coburn Combine Measurements and Results:
- Height: 6’1 3/4″
- Weight: 336 pounds
- Arm: 31 1/2”
- Hand: 9 1/8”
- Bench Press: 24 reps
- 40-Yard Dash: 5.22
Keondre Coburn Current Draft Projection
According to Tony Pauline’s Big Board, Coburn has a fifth-round grade. Many things can affect where a player ends up. Coburn is Tony’s 13th-best defensive tackle prospect and 166th-best player available overall, regardless of position.
Coburn produced a Relative Athletic Score of 5.22, which is considered “good.” The first thing that sticks out is his height. He comes in just over 6’1″. He has elite weight at the position, coming in at over 330 pounds, but that height could be a concern for a player lined up in the middle of the defensive line.
In the 40-yard dash, his initial explosion off the line through the 20-yard split was average, but his acceleration from there was considered poor, as he finished the 40-yard dash at 5.22.
Coburn’s explosion numbers were also considered “poor.” He had less than a 28-inch vertical jump, which isn’t great when paired with less-than-ideal height. His broad jump of just over eight feet wasn’t much better. His agility scores were better, however, scoring average times in the shuttle and three-cone.
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That said, nothing about his athletic numbers was elite or even above average. The days of space-eating on the defensive line being enough are likely passed us at this point, and his athletic testing did not assure he can develop into more than that.
If Coburn falls out of the draft, two teams that could make him a priority are the Miami Dolphins and the New England Patriots. Both teams could utilize a nose tackle. The Dolphins need depth along their interior defensive line, especially with a long-term deal for star Christian Wilkins not finished up yet.
The Patriots have long been successful with a traditional nose tackle. Given their propensity for running multiple fronts, they may have the ability to develop Coburn into a role player along their defensive line. He isn’t Vince Wilfork or even Danny Shelton, but space-eaters can still find a place on a team, especially on the goal line.