Run Stuffer Keondre Coburn

Texas’ Keondre Coburn is a force to be reckoned with inside on the defensive line.

This stout defensive tackle (DT) takes up space inside and he gives a good effort.

While he does not have the speed or burst to get to the quarterback much, he can push the pocket in passing situations and he makes a difference against the run.

Coburn fights to stop the run

He clogs up the middle and does a solid job holding his ground. He is not immovable, but he did well enough.

Coburn really gets after it and mixes it up with blockers. I could tell by watching him on game film that stopping the run (or trying to) is important to him.

This is where Coburn is going to make his money in the NFL.

Pass-happy NFL

The challenge with a prospect like Coburn is value at the next level.

This isn’t our grandpa’s NFL anymore. It’s no longer just “three yards and a cloud of dust.”

The league has evolved into more of a passing game. To date, 27/32 are passing the ball more than half the time (teamrankings.com).

As a result of this, there is a premium on defensive linemen who can create disruption in the pocket, or better yet, sack the quarterback.

That’s not this Texas interior defensive lineman.

Coburn is a big man who lacks the necessary speed and burst to get there in time.

This season the average snap-to-release time for NFL quarterbacks is between 2.2 and 2.8 seconds.

Trying to get 343 pounds into the pocket in that little bit of time will be challenging.

To further this point, two big interior defensive linemen taken early in the past two drafts, Christian Barmore (310 pounds) and Jordan Davis (336 pounds) are not getting much sack production.

In two seasons with New England, Barmore (second-round) has produced 2.5 sacks (23 games played), and in his rookie season this year Davis (first-round) has produced zero sacks (7 games played).

3-4 nose tackle?

This guy is used to street fighting the center and guards inside and being selected by a team that runs the 3-4 defense (three defensive linemen, four linebackers) would be a great fit.

He has the size for it and he is good at occupying blockers, which frees up the linebackers in this defensive scheme to scrape in and make run tackles or if frees them up to blitz.

The teams that run a 3-4 scheme (espn.com) are the Dolphins, Patriots, Ravens, Steelers, Jaguars, Titans, Broncos, Chargers, Giants, Packers, Vikings, Falcons, Buccaneers, Cardinals, Rams and Seahawks.

Of course, if coaching changes are made with any of these teams prior to next season, it could spell a change of defensive scheme.

However, I would expect one of teams who run a 3-4 to select Coburn.

#99 Keondre Coburn 6-foot-2, 343 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Grade: Third-Round – Winter 2022 Report

First Round Mock Big Board: TBD

Projected by 0.9% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of December 2, 2022 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2021 game film reviewed: Arkansas, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2021 stats: 15 tackles (9 solo, 6 assists), 1.0 sack

2022 stats: 25 tackles (9 solo, 16 assists), 2.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report:

Stout and thick defender with brute raw power who does a decent job holding his ground and plays with a high effort level. On passing downs he uses his natural strength to get some push and if he manages somehow to get free, he will chase. Not a sack artist at the next level. At best he can generate some light to moderate pressure. Draws a lot of double teams. Defending the run is where he makes his biggest difference by clogging up his limited area. Fights hard to the ball carrier with all of his might. Violent wrapping tackler. Occasionally gets washed down the line of scrimmage. Solid value pick who moves the meter.

What to watch for in the Texas bowl game?

1. Does he generate pressure in the passing game?
2. Does he sack the quarterback?
3. Can he consistently hold his ground vs. the run?
4. Does he contribute on run stops outside the box?

Coburn will be a good addition to an NFL roster.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He currently writes for Sports Illustrated New York Jets and he is the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.