Dawg Pound Daily
FanSided

Cleveland Browns draft profile: Kenny Clark

By Jack Kopanski

Nov 7, 2015; Corvallis, OR, USA; UCLA defensive lineman Kenny Clark (97) watches from the sidelines during a game against Oregon State at Reser Stadium. UCLA won 41-0. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Corvallis, OR, USA; UCLA defensive lineman Kenny Clark (97) watches from the sidelines during a game against Oregon State at Reser Stadium. UCLA won 41-0. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
Feb 28, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Kenny Clark participates in workout drills during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Kenny Clark participates in workout drills during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Kenny Clark Profile

Position: Defensive Lineman

Height/Weight: 6-foot-3, 314 lbs.

School: UCLA

Stats (Link):

2015: 73 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, 5 passes defended

2014: 57 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 1 pass defended, 1 fumble recovered

2013: 29 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble

2016 Draft Range: Third round

Kenny Clark was a constantly improving talent at UCLA, increasing his tackle and tackles for loss numbers all three years with the Bruins, culminating in being named a co-captain for the 2015 season. With Myles Jack missing most of last season, that helped push Clark to be a real driving force for that Bruins’ defense. Clark is a very solid prospect, but there’s nothing that makes him a first-round pick.

Clark is a very strong player and has the ability to dominate the line of scrimmage and push the line back, and he pairs that with surprising agility for his size. Clark would go between a four-, three-, and even a two-point stance, almost playing as a pseudo linebacker at times, giving him an extra burst of speed to the line. This ability also allowed him to play all along the line, both inside and out. One aspect he excelled at was stunting with other linemen and linebackers, using his speed to cut across the line and either through an open hole, or to drive back a blocker.

While his hands are active, they are also very unrefined and need to be honed better at the NFL level. In college he drew double teams constantly, which would get him into trouble as had a hard time getting through them. If he ended up engaged for too long and the play got away from him, he was quick to slow down and give up.

What Clark does have going for him in a big way is his ability to keep his head up and be an effective two-gapper. He’s not going to be the type of player to get many sacks, but he plugs up holes very well and will hold runners to minimal gains. The only thing he needs to watch when doing this is his tendency to lunge at the ball carrier instead of closing in on the tackle.

He was able to play a 1, 3 or 5 technique in college, which will be condensed in the NFL due to his size. He should be expected to see most of his play as either a 3-4 nose tackle, or 4-3 inside tackle, playing anywhere from a 0 to 5 technique. This is where playing for Horton would be a great situation for both player and coach.

Next: System Fit with the Browns

Home/Browns Draft