Kaimon Rucker NFL Draft 2025: Scouting Report for North Carolina EDGE

HEIGHT: 6'1"

WEIGHT: 254

HAND: 10"

ARM: 32⅝”

WINGSPAN: 79"

---

POSITIVES

— Good pass-rush production with 14.5 sacks over the last two seasons, including six in eight games during the 2024 season.

— Solid rip move to win around the edge with good bend to take an efficient path to the quarterback.

— Decent hump move to beat tight ends as a pass-rusher or escape blocks as a run defender. Also is strong enough to set the edge against tight ends.

— Active hands when rushing the passer.

— Recognizes and gets under pullers as the spill player in run fits.

— Stays tight to the line of scrimmage when unblocked against the run to help make tackles from the backside.

---

NEGATIVES

— Subpar get-off, a little late to react to the snap and false-steps out of his stance.

— Not a high-level athlete. Lacks twitch and explosiveness.

— Doesn't have the lower-body strength to anchor against offensive tackles and avoid getting washed inside by down blocks or set the edge against pullers as the force player.

— Turns his shoulders perpendicular to the line of scrimmage when setting the edge.

— Below-average arm length, which limits his extension as a run defender and leads to him getting stuck on blocks from offensive linemen.

— Inconsistent accuracy with his hands as a pass-rusher.

---

NOTES

— Born Feb. 28, 2002

— 3-star recruit in the 2020 class, per 247Sports

— Injuries: 2024 (Knee, missed 3 games and barely played in 1 game, had minor surgery; Cracked Fibula, left final regular-season game early and missed bowl game)

— 2023; Second-Team All-ACC

---

OVERALL

Kaimon Rucker stands out most as a pass-rusher, especially given his production over the last two years. His best move is a dip-rip, which he pairs with flexible hips and ankles to bend and win around the edge. He's also shown active hands to occasionally "defeat the hands, defeat the man," but his accuracy is inconsistent.

The problem is that Rucker isn't a high-level athlete and lacks some twitch, even before the lower-body injuries mentioned. That could cause him to slide down teams' draft boards, as he doesn't have elite traits and has an injury history. The latter prevented him from testing/working out at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Against the run, the UNC product can hold his own against tight ends. However, he needs more sand in his pants to anchor when taking on blocks from offensive linemen. Also, his shorter arms will lead to him getting stuck on blocks.

Overall, Rucker projects as a solid depth option who could be a decent pass-rusher in the NFL. How his medicals check out will be a big factor in a club's willingness to use a draft pick on him, though.

---

GRADE: 6.2 (Developmental Prospect — 5th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 196

POSITION RANK: EDGE22

PRO COMPARISON: Jesse Luketa

---

Written by B/R NFL Scout Matt Holder

---

Prospect workout numbers, measurables (40-yard dash, hand size, etc.) and 2024 statistics will be added at a later date.