In The 2016 NFL Draft, The New Orleans Saints Select…

Kenny Clark, Defensive Tackle, UCLA

Sep 6, 2014; Pasadena, CA, USA; Memphis Tigers quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) breaks away from UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Kenny Clark (97) in the second half of the game at the Rose Bowl. UCLA won 42-35. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Class: Junior

Height: 6’3

Weight: 308 lbs.

Pros:

Power

Quick explosion / burst

Quick hands

Cons:

Needs to “finish” plays

The folks over at NFL Draft Geek.com say that when it comes to Kenny Clark, the best way to appreciate his greatness is the fact that at 17 years old, Clark was playing and eventually starting at defensive tackle as a true freshman in 2014.

It’s one thing for a wide receiver or a cornerback to go run around out there as a 17 or 18 year old kid, but banging in the trenches with other 300-plus pound behemoths is a different story.

Clark went on to start four games in his true freshman season before last year becoming entrenched as a starter for all 13 games. In 2014, Clark made 58 tackles – a tremendous number for a defensive tackle – and recorded 5.5 tackles for loss.

Interior defensive lineman who can stay on the field for all three downs and make an impact in both the run and pass game are exceeding rare and very hard to come by in today’s era of college football.

With the advent of spread offenses, defenses have in turn countered with quicker, more agile defensive lineman, which has produced a crop of D-Lineman ill-prepared for what life in the NFL trenches is like.

Kenny Clark, however, is of a different breed; think Marcell Dareus.

To be sure, Clark is a tremendous athlete who fires off at the snap of the ball with great explosion and burst. He has the upper body quickness and hand use to swim and rip blast blockers; actually something most pass rushers don’t always do well.

And in space he has the lower body agility and flexibility to twist, stunt and move about the line comfortably.

In short, he would bring to the Saints what they need more than anything right now on defense: a dominant presence in the middle of the defensive front seven, that can eat up space and make life miserable for opposing QB’s while doing it.

Career Stats:

88 tackles, 18 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks, 6 PBUs, 1 forced fumbles

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