With the 2016 NFL Scouting combine now behind us, we will likely see a flurry of mock drafts surface from the major media draft analysts in the coming days. On Monday, Jim Miller of SiriusXM NFL Radio released his most recent mock of the first round and he has the Pittsburgh Steelers selecting Clemson edge rusher Kevin Dodd 25th overall.
Miller writes of the Dodd selection:
It sounds like Kevin Colbert acknowledges time is running out for OLB Jarvis Jones. Much like Bud Dupree, Dodd packs a lunch and brings a flashlight. High upside for this young player.
I’m not sure I’ve seen Dodd mocked to the Steelers so far this offseason. The Clemson product measured in at 6’5″, 277 pounds while in Indianapolis and ran 4.86 second 40-yard dash time. A hamstring pull on his second run prevented him from doing all of the other drills so hopefully he’ll be ready for his pro day.
In his first season as a full-time starter in 2015, Dodd registered 60 total tackles to go along with 12 sacks. In total, Dodd had 45 pressures, 23 hurries, 22 knockdowns and 21 run disruptions in 2015 and he played 80% of Clemson’s defensive snaps.
Dodd certainly appears to be a first round talent and he might just be on the board still when the Steelers pick 25th overall. The fact that he only really started one season, however, might be something that keeps the Steelers from selecting Dodd as they normally like their first-round selections to have plenty of playing time experience and even if they’re underclassmen.
Regardless, Dodd is an interesting discussion based on his one solid season of work.
