2021 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Kenny Yeboah Has a Bright Future

Kenny Yeboah 2021 NFL Draft Scouting Report: The Pros

• Athleticism
• Size/Frame
• Route Running
• Hands
• Football IQ/Play Recognition
• Pass Blocking

The best one-word description I have for Kenny Yeboah is mismatch. Yeboah"s overall skill set and attributes make him a nightmare for both positions traditionally matched up against tight ends: linebackers and safeties.

Firstly, Yeboah has a great mix of speed and athleticism for a person as big as he is. Throughout his college career, he was able to split defenders in the seam or breeze by linebackers using that speed. Once he was one on one with a safety, the fact that Yeboah stands six-foot-four and 240 lbs makes him unguardable.

This particular play shows off just about all of Yeboah"s pros. He gets off the line quickly, runs a crisp route, makes an adjustment for the ball, gets his man to miss, and takes off. This play shows off his talent as a receiver, but that isn"t all he does.

Going into the 2020 season, Yeboah was ranked as the best pass-blocking tight end by Pro Football Focus. While that in itself is impressive, the reason why is more so. Over the 2019 season with Temple, Yeboah didn"t allow a sack… OR a quarterback pressure in pass protection! The only person remotely close to Yeboah was current Bears tight end and second-round draft pick, Cole Kmet.

While Yeboah"s game is well-rounded, there are some things he can improve on.

Kenny Yeboah 2021 NFL Draft Scouting Report: The Cons

• Run Blocking
• Release off the line of scrimmage
• Low usage as a check down receiver

As good as Kenny Yeboah is as a pass blocker, he got beat in run protection fairly often. Instances of poor run blocking that come to mind typically include draws and pitches, where Yeboah needs to either open a gap or push the line. Even though Yeboah already has the size to play the position at the next level, he"ll need to put in some work to add some strength and technique if teams plan to use him as an effective blocker/receiver.

Yeboah does not have a bad release from the line of scrimmage. It just isn"t the best. His first step can be long, but he quickly gets into his next gear into a route.

The last mark against Yeboah has more to do with his team"s scheme last season, but he will have to adjust to a different role in the NFL. Yeboah was primarily used as a downfield target at Ole Miss, evidenced by his 19.4 yards per reception. Depending on the team he ends up with, his role will be very different than that.

Kenny Yeboah NFL Comp: Gerald Everett

The most noticeable comparison that can be made between these two players is their size. They have almost identical frames, and even though Kenny Yeboah hasn"t gone through the Combine yet, I"d bet their other measurables are similar as well.

Apart from that, they both play a similar style. They both utilize their size against defensive backs when working on the sideline and can jet past linebackers in the slot. Everett and Yeboah"s college stats are relatively similar as well.

Everett was very clearly the focal point of both offenses he played in while in college. He racked up a ton of receptions in just three seasons and put up monster numbers in his 2016 season. Yeboah, on the other hand, has never been the number one option, at both Temple and Ole Miss. With that in mind, Yeboah was able to put together a comparable collegiate career to someone drafted in the second round of the draft.

Thanks for reading my 2021 NFL Draft Scouting Report! Follow me on Twitter @kinggeorge94 for more Ole Miss Rebels Football news and notes and follow @OT_Heroics for all things sports!

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