PFF scouting report: Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson

Below is the PFF draft profile for Clemson's Kevin Dodd, which incorporates PFF’s college grades and scouting intel from our team of analysts. To see all of PFF’s 2016 scouting reports, click here.

Position fit:

4-3 DE, could potentially shift inside on passing downs. Maybe 3-4, having played some from two-point stance at Clemson.

Stats to know:

Ninth-highest overall grade among 2016 eligible edge defenders (25th-highest pass-rush grade, sixth-highest run-defense grade); 59 combined pressures, sixth-ranked pass-rush productivity.

What he does best:

• Strong, good hands while rushing. Quickness and rip move to keep blockers from locking on. Oklahoma game is a good example of this, the right tackle could barely keep his hands on him (great example of this at 9:06 in the fourth quarter).

• Can win inside and outside.

• Run defense—ranked sixth among edge defenders, and had the second-most stops (44).

• Can be disruptive on both the front and back side of running plays.

• Good feel for blocks in the run game.

• Reads the down-block to take on pulling guards, though doesn’t always do so with power.

• Shoots gaps in run defense. When playing contain, he also sets a good edge, overpowering smaller tackles and tight ends (a lot of this against Boston College). Locates and can shed back inside to the ball.

Biggest concern:

• Lined up exclusively on defensive left side, only faced right tackles. Also on a stacked defensive line at Clemson.

• One-year wonder, played just 101 snaps in 2014, though did grade above-average in both facets.

• Even in his 2015 season, he finished strong, but his week-to-week consistency wasn’t there (four negative games as pass-rusher, finished 41st in pass-rushing among edge defenders).

• Left some plays on the field. 11 missed tackles were tied for eighth-most among edge players. Got juked by Jake Coker more than once in the open field.

• Some trouble with down-blocks and double-teams.

• Can get caught upfield against the run.

• 20 pressures were of the unblocked or cleanup variety.

Player production comparison:

Ray Edwards. The former Minnesota Vikings and Atlanta Falcons defensive end was a solid all-around player, but there was little flash to his game outside of two strong years as a pass-rusher.

Bottom line:

Dodd should be an effective early-down run defender as a 4-3 defensive end, but the question will be whether or not his late-season surge as a pass-rusher was a sign of things to come, or just a hot-streak. His down-to-down pass-rushing is not up to par with his peers in this (or previous) classes.