FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at Miami defensive back Kamren Kinchens.
2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Kamren Kinchens
Kamren Kinchens (DB – Miami)
6’0″ – 205 lbs.
Background:
Four-star recruit and Miami local who started the past five games he appeared in as a true freshman back in 2021, lining up in the slot and as a traditional high safety and finishing with 44 tackles and four breakups on the year. Took over a starting role the following year, playing as a high safety more often and ending up with 59 tackles, six interceptions and six breakups. Had a similar line this year, with another 59 tackles, five interceptions, and five breakups.
Positives:
Productive defensive back who’s started for the past two-and-a-half years. Solidly-built, with a pro-ready frame. Physical, versatile defender who has mostly played as a high safety, but also has extensive experience in the slot, and some in the box as well. Miami trusted him to play single-high relatively often, and shows the calm, patient demeanor teams look for in that role. Shows clean footwork and good balance in his backpedal, getting depth and keeping the play in front of him. Clean transitions from his backpedal to drive on a spot. Sniffs out screens quickly when shaded over. Has solid closing speed, whether when he’s providing help over the top or coming down to support the run. Well-timed hits can jar the ball loose from receivers on in-breaking routes. Ball skills are a major strength; intercepted eleven passes over the past two years, and ran back two for touchdowns. Gets his head around early and shows good body control to adjust and make plays when targeted. Willing run supporter who offers some thudding power to help set the tone defensively. Pretty good open-field tackler who does a nice job of lining up ballcarriers in space, with solid angles.
Negatives:
Production was similar, but efficiency dipped this season relative to his 2022 campaign. Lapses into throwing a shoulder as a tackler, leading to some missed attempts; more physical than he is fundamentally sound. A solid athlete, but may be playing more Cover-2 type looks in the pros than he did in college, as he can be slightly later than you’d like to get out to the sidelines on deep shots. Didn’t always look like he was going full speed when playing single high and defending shots down the sidelines. Might struggle to stick with smaller, quicker receivers if asked to play in man coverage.
Summary:
A physical, thickly-built free safety who played a lot of single-high in school and who shows very impressive ball skills and the willingness to come up and deliver hits on opposing ballcarriers. Overall athleticism may not be elite, and wasn’t quite as efficient this year as he was in 2022, but still looks like he’ll be one of the first safeties off the board on draft day, if not the first. Looks like a relatively safe pick who has few weaknesses and some real strengths.
Projection: Round 1-2
More 2024 NFL Draft Prospects
Cornerbacks
- Josh Newton (CB – TCU)
- Cooper DeJean (CB – Iowa)
- Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (CB – Missouri)
- Kalen King (CB – Penn State)
- Kamari Lassiter (CB – Georgia)
- Khyree Jackson (CB – Oregon)
- D.J. James (CB – Auburn)
- Nate Wiggins (CB – Clemson)
- Kris Abrams-Draine (CB – Missouri)
- Kool-Aid McKinstry (CB – Alabama)
- T.J. Tampa (CB – Iowa State)
- Quinyon Mitchell (CB – Toledo)
- Terrion Arnold (CB – Alabama)
- Nehemiah Pritchett (CB – Auburn)
- Mike Sainristil (CB – Michigan)
- Dwight McGlothern (CB – Arkansas)
- Caelen Carson (CB – Wake Forest)
- Cam Hart (CB – Notre Dame)
- Max Melton (CB – Rutgers)
- Jarrian Jones (CB – Florida State)
Defensive Backs
- Calen Bullock (DB – USC)
- Beau Brade (DB – Maryland)
- James Williams (DB – Miami)
- Jaden Hicks (DB – Washington State)
- Sione Vaki (DB – Utah)
- Javon Bullard (DB – Georgia)
- Cole Bishop (DB – Utah)
- Tykee Smith (DB – Georgia)
- Malik Mustapha (DB – Wake Forest)
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