Oregon 2022 NFL Draft Scouting Reports include Kayvon Thibodeaux and Verone McKinley III

The Oregon Ducks were a perfect 7-0 at home in 2021 and finished the year with a 10-4 record, ranking 22nd in the nation. Unfortunately, their season culminated in a 47-32 beatdown at the hands of Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl. Now, the Ducks have a number of high-profile prospects, combined with some late-round players, heading towards the 2022 NFL Draft. Here are the Oregon scouting reports for everyone from Kayvon Thibodeaux to Anthony Brown.

Oregon 2022 NFL Draft Scouting Reports

The Oregon scouting reports include a potential top-five prospect as well as a late-round quarterback project.

Anthony Brown, QB

Positives: Experienced signal-caller who is patient in the pocket, poised under the rush, and moves around the backfield to give himself a better view of the field. Sells ball fakes, throws the ball with a fluid over-the-top delivery, and spreads passes around to all of his weapons. Shows a lot of toughness on designed quarterback runs.

Negatives: Rarely moves his head from the primary target. Must significantly improve his pass placement, as receivers are often slowing their routes or adjusting backwards. Misses wide-open receivers.

Analysis: Brown possesses solid size and a good arm, but he’s never been an accurate quarterback, which will hurt his next-level chances.

CJ Verdell, RB

Positives: Creative ball carrier who is effective catching the ball out of the backfield. Patient, finds the running lanes, and has a burst through the hole. Quick-footed, makes defenders miss, and easily darts around piles to create yardage. Runs with good lean and behind his pads.

Multi-cut ball carrier who squeezes through the small openings of the offensive line and quickly cuts back against the grain. Outstanding pass catcher out of the backfield who adjusts to errant throws and makes receptions in stride. Displays terrific eye/hand coordination.

Negatives: Has struggled with injuries in the past. Easily brought down at the point and doesn’t pick up much yardage off initial contact.

Analysis: Verdell was a very productive ball carrier for Oregon and is also a threat as a pass catcher. He’s the perfect situational or third-down back on Sundays who fits as a zone runner. Verdell also comes with return ability. More than anything else, he must stay healthy and show durability to have a career in the NFL.

Devon Williams, WR

Positives: Tall possession receiver who consistently wins out for the contested throw. Tracks the pass in the air, gets vertical, and high-points throws over defenders. Uses his hands to separate from opponents, nicely times receptions, and plays with terrific balance as well as body control. Reliable hands catcher who consistently extends his hands to offer the quarterback a target and possesses soft, strong hands. Plays big football, uses the sidelines well, and competes.

Negatives: Lacks a quick release off the line of scrimmage, isn’t smooth into breaks, and is very choppy with his footwork. Plays to one speed, shows no burst in his game, and struggles to separate from defenders with speed or quickness.

Analysis: Williams displayed a lot of progress in his game the past two seasons and was the go-to receiver who could not be stopped at Oregon. He possesses soft and reliable hands, yet his inability to separate from defenders will be a major hurdle for him to overcome on Sundays.

George Moore, OT

Positives: Nice-sized tackle who quickly sets up off the snap, fires into run blocks, and stays square. Sets with a wide base, works to bend his knees, and displays ability as a position blocker. Makes good use of angles and works his hands throughout the action.

Negatives: Stiff, struggles to adjust, and gets beaten by quick or speedy pass rushers. Not a dominant run blocker.

Analysis: Moore was a solid two-year starter who lined up at both left tackle and guard for Oregon. He’s an average athlete, can only play in a small area, and lacks much upside.

Jaylon Redd, WR

Positives: Undersized receiver who displays outstanding focus as well as concentration, gets up in a crowd, and fights to come away with the difficult grab. Extends his hands to make the reception away from his frame, easily makes the reception in stride, and looks passes into his hands. Quickly releases off the line, runs sharp routes, and stays low on exit. Gives effort blocking and works to pick up yardage whenever the ball is in his hands.

Negatives: Lack of height is a limiting factor. Lacks breakaway speed. Was not much of a factor in the Oregon passing offense last season.

Analysis: Prior to his senior campaign, Redd turned in three productive seasons at Oregon and looked like a legitimate fifth receiver/return specialist for the next level. His play significantly fell off last season, and he’s gone from potential late-round choice to undrafted free agent. Redd plays bigger than his listed size and was consistently productive on the field at one time, attributes he must show from the first day of camp this summer to have any chance of making a roster.

Johnny Johnson, WR

Positives: Solid college receiver with average next-level potential. Tracks the pass in the air, displays terrific eye/hand coordination, and adjusts to make the reception at full speed. Quickly gets in and out of routes, separates from defenders, and extends his hands to offer the quarterback a target. Comes away with the difficult catch in battles.

Negatives: Does not display naturally soft hands and drops catchable throws. Not consistent running routes. Has average length and poor speed.

Analysis: Johnson was a solid receiver for Oregon, but he lacks the athletic testing numbers and natural pass-catching skills to make an active Sunday roster.

Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE

Positives: Game-impacting pass rusher with tremendous versatility. Athletic, forceful, and strong. Quick off the snap, agile, and works his hands to get off blocks. Fluid when asked to twist or stunt, gets depth on pass drops in space, and shows speed in backside pursuit. Fundamentally sound, rarely off his feet, and consistently plays with outstanding pad level.

Attracts a lot of double-team blocks, creates opportunities for teammates, and stays with assignments. Bends off the edge, immediately changes direction, and alters his angle of attack. Strong for his size and displays a variety of moves to get off blocks.

Negatives: Lacks bulk and gets out-positioned by larger opponents. Has been knocked for not consistently playing hard and giving up on plays. Questions have arisen surrounding his love of football.

Analysis: Thibodeaux is a game-impacting defensive front-seven player who can come out of a three-point stance or stand over tackle. When motivated and hitting on all cylinders, he can be impossible to stop as a pass rusher and in pursuit.

Thibodeaux possesses tremendous upside and can be a long-time productive starter in the NFL if he makes football a priority in his life and remains focused on the task at hand.

Want more information on Thibodeaux? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon DE | NFL Draft Scouting Report

Mykael Wright, CB

Positives: Feisty, aggressive cornerback who does not back down from a challenge and physically beats down opponents to defend throws. Jams receivers at the line of scrimmage, displays a burst to the ball out of his plant, and works to get a hand in to defend passes. Gives effort defending the run and throws his body around the field. Previously showed a lot of ability returning kicks.

Negatives: Late transitioning off the line, not smooth flipping his hips, and lacks balance. Rarely gets his head back around and does a lot of face-guarding. Unpolished, loses a sense of what’s happening on the field, and struggles recognizing assignments in zone.

Analysis: Wright is a confident cornerback who does a lot of barking on the field, yet the reputation does not meet the reality. He’s an average athlete with an unpolished game who struggles in man and zone coverage. Graded by many as a potential first-round prospect coming into the season, I view Wright as a last-day pick who is best suited for dime packages.

Want more information on Wright? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Mykael Wright, Oregon CB | NFL Draft Scouting Report

Verone McKinley III, S

Positives: Disciplined, hard-working safety with a well-rounded game. Displays outstanding awareness, stays with assignments, and takes proper angles to the action. Breaks down well, uses his hands to protect himself, and wraps up tackling. Keeps the action in front of him, tracks the pass in the air, and possesses good hands for the interception. Instinctive, quickly picks up coverage assignments, and shows a burst to the action out of his plant. Effectively communicates with teammates in the secondary.

Negatives: Not a big or stout safety. Outmatched by taller receivers. More of a drag-down tackler. Lacks great speed to the flanks.

Analysis: McKinley is a solid defensive back who displays next-level instincts and ball skills. His lack of true range in the center field concerns me, though McKinley would be very effective in a zone system and would not be a liability over slot receivers.

Want more information on McKinley? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Verone McKinley III, Oregon S | NFL Draft Scouting Report