Kamren Kinchens NFL Draft Scouting Report

Size:

Height: 5’11” | Weight: 200 lbs

Accomplishments:

First Team All-ACC (2022) • AP First Team All-America (202)

 “An uber-athletic perimeter ballhawk that will force QBs to think twice when looking his way in a progression.”

Strengths:

• Elite ball skills/instincts
• Athletic profile
• Flexibility + explosiveness
• Coverage ability in man
• Physicality

Concerns:

• Size to counter 50/50 balls vs. larger WRs
• Undisciplined eyes at times
• Length

In-play Film Analysis: 

Instincts pop off the screen when watching Kamren Kinchens. A ball-hawk within the Hurricanes’ secondary, Kinchens combines explosive footwork, smooth hips, and the ability to read a QB’s eyes that is unmatched by many in the college game (six INTs, eight PBUs combined in 2021-22). 

Kinchens is a constant communicator and is rarely aligned as a static defender with his heels in the ground at the snap. In zone, Kinchens has true sideline-to-sideline range and has shown the ability to play a multitude of spots (box/nickel/FS) and has snaps at outside corner as well. Has experience as a single-high safety where his coverage radius and burst showcase best. 

In the air, Kinchens attacks the football at its highest point and is quick to search for open grass (99-yard INT return vs GA Tech). Explosive closing speed and the physicality to knock opponents back. 

In man, Kinchens can play both off and press-man, where he utilizes powerful hands, quick twitch, and technique to mirror and match a variety of skill sets. I want to see him utilize his combination of power and technique more at the line of scrimmage, however, where he can overwhelm less physical opponents in shallower depths. He has patient footwork and is always under control. 

Against the run, Kinchens can, at times, whiff when looking to lay the big hit but is overall a sound tackler that isn’t afraid to stick his face in the mud at the line of scrimmage. Always hunting for the football. Concerns remain about his ability to counter larger opponents over the top, and his aggressiveness to make a play on the football—more experienced passers could use that against him. 

Overall, Kinchens is a ball-hawking safety with the blend of technique, alignment versatility, and physicality that should translate well to the next level.

Prospect Projection: Day 1 — Pro Bowl Caliber

Written By: Ryan Fowler

Last Updated: June 13, 2023

Exposures: North Carolina (22), Texas A&M (22), Clemson (22), Georgia Tech (22)

Kamren Kinchens’ NFL Draft Scouting Report will be updated by Draft Network throughout the season. Add him to your big board here.