Fifth Round Pick, Kingsley Keke DL

[pbmax]

NFL.com
https://www.nfl.com/prospects/kingsley-keke?id=32194b45-4b60-0025-6f69-065bb81d9a1c

Kingsley Keke DL Texas A&M
6' 3", 288 lbs

COLLEGE Texas A&M
HOMETOWN Richmond, TX
CLASS Senior

ARMS 34 1/2”
HANDS 9 3/4”

Overview
Potentially polarizing prospect as some teams could struggle with his best fit in the league. With his athletic ability and functional strength, a role as base in a 4-3 scheme with the ability to reduce inside is most likely. One-gapping 3-4 defenses could target him as well, but he'll need to add aggressiveness at the point of attack for that role. Keke could step into an early backup spot, but he possesses enough natural ability to aim for an eventual starter or designated rusher role.

Strengths
Dropped 20 pounds and showed ability to transition from tackle to end
Fluid, impressive athlete for a big man
Can play light on his feet to mirror and pursue change of direction
Upper-body power to punch and press tackles off of him
Adequate balance and body control through contact
Strength to reduce inside and manage against power
Springy lateral quickness to disengage and make sudden tackles near his gaps
Flashes some explosiveness and stride length out of stance as upfield as a rusher
Shows adequate dip to sink under and trim the edges
Unleashes basketball euro-step as interior rusher to throw guards off-balance and open his edge
Quick to recognize and close out screen passes.

Weaknesses
Needs to supplement upper-body power with stronger base
Legs lack some proportion and girth
Needs more urgency to attack and shed blocks
Inconsistent charge as upfield rusher
Full potential as rusher not always on display
Defaults to bull-rush strategy despite his athletic qualities
Uses basic swipe that fails to punish blocker's initial punch
Hands are too passive and could benefit from more violence and quickness

[pbmax]

Mike Tanier, Bleacher Report

150. Green Bay Packers: Kingsley Keke, Defensive Line, Texas A&M

Strengths: Athleticism, flash plays

Weaknesses: Power, consistency

Keke is the wrong kind of tweener: not explosive enough to be a full-time edge-rusher, not physical enough to play the 3-tech consistently.

He shows flashes of being a dominant player, usually when he wins off the first two steps and explodes through the line for a sack or stuff. There’s also a lot of tape of Keke getting knocked backward, taken upfield or latched to blockers in between those highlights.

The Packers have roles in their defense for defenders like Keke. He could stick as a wave defender and generate some sacks if schemed to go one-on-one against slower tackles and guards. But if the Packers are expecting much more, he’ll go breaking their hearts.

Grade: C

[pbmax]

Ledyard: https://thedraftnetwork.com/player/kingsley-keke

Get-off/Burst - Despite his athletic gifts, not a very explosive player. Can be late off the ball at times and does his best work after his first step as a pass rusher. Takes several strides to get to top speed and may lack the twitch to be an effective penetrating one-gap defender.

Leverage - Plays way too high and struggles to control space as a result. Too easily knocked off balance and uprooted by physicality and technique. Loses power due to upright playing position, gets washed out of gaps and can't utilize hands as effectively. Double teams = game over. Has the flexibility to play lower, needs to maintain lower center of gravity.


Hand Usage - Not where you'd want it to be for a senior, but flashes of violent hand usage that show what could be. Doesn't consistently lock out at the point of attack and struggles to work off contact as a result. Body-to-body a lot in the trenches, makes him easier to control. Has shown a nasty cross-chop, long arm and rip move as a rusher before. Push-pulled tight ends around when they were assigned to him.

Rush Plan/Counters - A go-to interior pass rusher on long and late situations. Has great change-of-direction and will use stutter steps to cross the face of blockers and attack their edge. Pad level allows him to get locked down too easily, can expose a ton of surface area. Not good enough at protecting his frame and staying clean on a consistent basis. Odd player, will slow-play several rushes with no real plan, then all of a sudden pull out a speed-to-spin rush with a crushing icepick. He has moves, just wish he used them more and deployed them quicker.

Mental Processing/Block Recognition - Slow to string moves together and recognize opportunities for counters as a pass rusher. Plays as an edge often, stepped down when unblocked and forced runners to bounce gaps. Can be slow to find the ball at times. When they play him at nose tackle, fails to split double teams effectively and can get bodied off the ball.

Range - Takes a few steps to get to top speed, but chases down ball carriers at the perimeter and has good wheels for the position. When he finds the ball early and gets clean, capable of making plays away from his gap.

Bend/Flexibility - If he is indeed 300 pounds, you simply don't see many players his size bend the way Keke does. Played on the edge a lot, and while he isn't explosive enough to stay there in the NFL, showed the ability to bend at the hips and dip under contact to the pocket. Even from a 3-technique spot, showed he could rip through punches and turn tightly to the quarterback, not getting run up the arc. Gave Greg Little a good game.

Tackling - Has missed a couple tackles despite good form. May leave his feet a little too early when he could run through contact. Has good length and can bring runners down outside his frame. Ability to make plays in space is a big plus.


Competitive Toughness - No issues here. I've seen him chase down screens. Doesn't have an insane motor, but plays hard and is considered a leader on that defense.

Athleticism/Size - Listed size and length are outstanding, has an unusual, fairly narrow frame without a lot of bad weight. Is he really 305? Looks more like 285 or 290, which is still fine. Athletically unique, appears to have really impressive flexibility, but how he tests in the jumps and 10-yard split will be important to measure his seemingly absent explosiveness.

BEST TRAIT - Bend/Flexibility

WORST TRAIT - Leverage

RED FLAGS - None

Kingsley Keke is one of the oddest players I've ever scouted. On one hand, he has wild flexibility and bend for an interior defensive lineman, capable of contorting his body to reduce his surface area while cornering some tough angles to the pocket. On the other hand, he's not explosive at all and takes several steps to get to top speed. He has some terrific rush moves, but he's slow to deploy them at times and doesn't finish as often as you'd like to see.

Also, I can never remember which part of his name comes first and which comes second. Also, Drake wrote a song about him, if I recall correctly.

I think Keke has some awesome traits to work with, but he may be at his best as a long/late downs interior rusher due to his lack of leverage and hand usage in the run game. He's capable of potentially wearing a lot of hats and being a Deatrich Wise-like player, but I would love to see more consistency in his areas of strength. As a late call up to the Senior Bowl, the stage is huge for him to capture the attention of scouts in Mobile and potentially put his name in the Top 100 conversation.

Round Grade: 4th

[pbmax]

Crabbs: Same Site

Hand Technique/Length – He's got great length and when he flashes his hands he can really illustrate impressive separation and ability to win early in reps. Issues arise because he's not consistent with hand usage and too often looks to bully with power instead of hand counters.

Competitive Toughness – He's pretty lackadaisical off the back end of plays and is quick to give up in his pursuit. Doesn't really hold his ground all that well against power blockers and double teams. He'll get his pads ridden up and lose leverage at the POA.

Two Gap Ability – He has the length and the intermittent flash to offer hope that he could get there some day. But he's not stout enough with his anchor, not effective enough in quick block deconstruction and he's generally not savvy enough to process and anticipate blocks.

Gap Penetration Skills – Has not had a fruitful career of making plays in the backfield but he does have the mobility and flexibility to drop an inside shoulder and reduce surface area to run through contact. He's not overly sudden but if aligned right in the gap he can push through the gap.

Tackling – Long arms aid him in efforts to reach and grab at any part of the ball carrier, he does offer a good tackle radius and the body contortion skills to get himself extended. He's got enough redirection, especially as a B-gap defender, to react as he plays square to the LOS.

Flexibility – Really impressive overall body control for a big dude. He'll twist and contort himself through spaces well and has impressive results looking to get skinny through gaps or collect himself and redirect as he pushes through a gap up front.

Pass Rush Counters – He's not overly nuanced here and likes to try to bull rush blockers backwards. Had some success (Auburn) in doing so but otherwise he's slow to react to openings and creases up front, instead loops away from contact looking for a cheap clean-up.

First Step Quickness – He's the last one out of his stance with too much frequency. Can be late to react and on top of that he's very lethargic trying to roll through the corner. Other times, when he's pressing, he can offer some good looks on the interior.

Feet/Change Of Direction – Does not have a lot of explosiveness in lateral situations, he's pretty pedestrian when he's needing to plant and drive or collect his balance. He'll make looping turns instead to settling down and driving off a single stride to get going the opposite way.

Versatility – Bit of a tweener. Played some tackle and then dropped weight to play DE in 2018. He's better off in the B-gap, where some athletic limitations will be mitigated but he'll have a chance to still flash his flexibility and surface reduction in an attack role and bend to target.

BEST TRAIT – Length

WORST TRAIT – Competitive Toughness

BEST FILM – Auburn (2018)

WORST FILM – North Carolina State (2018)

RED FLAGS – None

Kingsley Keke is a frustrating study, he clearly has some physical tools at his disposal that could make him a potent weapon up front. But his consistency, technique and football IQ all appear to be lacking, often leaving him stuck dancing with blockers and unable to generate consistent pressure or penetration. There are simple, easy fixes that could help Keke reach his potential, but the fact that he hasn't mastered some of them yet are cause for concern. A high upside, low floor pick.

Round Grade - Fifth Round

[pbmax]

Marino: same site

Run Defense - Inconsistency with leverage causes issues at the point of attack for him to remain in his run fits. Sets firm edges when he get his hands placed and arms extended. Bit of a tweener that could struggle to anchor against NFL interior offensive linemen on the interior.

Pass Rush - Blend of burst, length and flexibility gives him some upside. Has some exciting reps on tape where he uses his length to soften his turn at the top of the arc and shows off rare fluidity to corner for his size. While need to execute his rush quicker on the interior at the next level, especially unleashing his counters. Needs to develop a consistent pass rush plan.

Effort - Plays with good effort on every snap but his urgency can be expedited. Hands are busy to clear himself from blocks and he’ll make plays on secondary effort. Pursuit effort does not often disappoint.

Hand Technique - Would love to see him play with more consistent extension but the flashes are present. Has showcases a variety of moves and counters but timing and stringing together his attack needs improvement.

Flexibility - Really impressive for his size. Is able to carry impressive speed through tight angles and corner. Fluid change of direction ability. Needs to tape into his fluidity and do more with his upper body to diminish surface area.

Play Strength - Robs himself of functional strength by not playing with consistent leverage. Tall at the point of attack leads to inconsistent gap integrity. Stronger in his upper body than in the lower half.

Play Speed - IDs blocks quickly but needs to attack more urgently. Long strides eat up the arc but his get off is more gradual.

Lateral Movement - Easy mobility in lateral pursuit. Love his ability to work back across his frame and spring in the opposite direction. Changes directions fluidly with good pursuit speed to the sidelines and from the backside.

Versatility - Has some appeal working inside and outside in even fronts as both a pass rusher and run defender. Has the length needed to two-gap but lacks the anchor to consistently anchor.

BEST TRAIT - Flexibility

WORST TRAIT - Leverage

RED FLAGS - None

Keke blossomed as a senior and features an appealing blend of length, flexibility and athleticism. He has potential to lineup both inside and on the edge in even fronts with play making upside against the run and pass. In order for Keke to reach his potential, more urgency with his hands and playing with better leverage will be essential. As it stands, Keke has rotational upside and could be a standout situational rusher with more coaching.

Round Grade - Fourth Round Value

[pbmax]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PF0mKKs32og

[pbmax]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIT-Aq52kkw

[pbmax]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytWOWbrWK5Q

[pbmax]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOGf2McK86c

[pbmax]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4vvB53_2o0

[Fritz]

Get-off/Burst - Despite his athletic gifts, not a very explosive player. Can be late off the ball at times and does his best work after his first step as a pass rusher. Takes several strides to get to top speed and may lack the twitch to be an effective penetrating one-gap defender.

Leverage - Plays way too high and struggles to control space as a result. Too easily knocked off balance and uprooted by physicality and technique. Loses power due to upright playing position, gets washed out of gaps and can't utilize hands as effectively. Double teams = game over. Has the flexibility to play lower, needs to maintain lower center of gravity.


Hand Usage - Not where you'd want it to be for a senior, but flashes of violent hand usage that show what could be. Doesn't consistently lock out at the point of attack and struggles to work off contact as a result. Body-to-body a lot in the trenches, makes him easier to control. Has shown a nasty cross-chop, long arm and rip move as a rusher before. Push-pulled tight ends around when they were assigned to him.

You sure this wasn't the scouting report on Rashan Gary?

Hmm...if this dude starts to pan out, I think we may be watching Mike Daniels's last year in the green-and-gold. I have a feeling he's not terribly popular, either with teammates or coaches, and the organization might not want him back.

[pbmax]

PFF GB Packers @PFF_Packers
Snaps by position for Kingsley Keke in 2018:

LEO 169
LE 47
DLT 79
NLT 33
NT 34
NRT 13
DRT 102
RE 42
REO 174

#Packers #NFLDraft2019

[Iron Mike]

He's my avatar now, so he's basically fucked.

[red]

weird pick

especially when a decent ILB was available (mack wilson), and we don't need d-line

[esoxx]

I just hope he doesn't end up playing like Ben Kingsley.

[Joemailman]

weird pick

especially when a decent ILB was available (mack wilson), and we don't need d-line

Heir-apparent to Mike Daniels. Maybe sooner than you think.

[run pMc]

Heir-apparent to Mike Daniels. Maybe sooner than you think.


Hmm...if this dude starts to pan out, I think we may be watching Mike Daniels's last year in the green-and-gold. I have a feeling he's not terribly popular, either with teammates or coaches, and the organization might not want him back.

Agree.
Silverstein was publicly wondering if Daniels might get traded (presumably before TC, or mid-season a la HHCD). I think he's probably gone. He's the midget of the DLine compared to who Gute is bringing in, and he's pushing 30.

pbmax -- I'm trying to figure out what the difference between NLT and DLT is. Presumably NLT is like a 1 or 2T, while DLT is 3 or 4T?

[pbmax]

Agree.
Silverstein was publicly wondering if Daniels might get traded (presumably before TC, or mid-season a la HHCD). I think he's probably gone. He's the midget of the DLine compared to who Gute is bringing in, and he's pushing 30.

pbmax -- I'm trying to figure out what the difference between NLT and DLT is. Presumably NLT is like a 1 or 2T, while DLT is 3 or 4T?

No idea. Those designations baffled me as well.

Best guesses:
7,8,9 tech - LEO
5,6 - LE
3,4 - DLT
1,2 - NLT
0 - NT
1,2 - NRT
3,4 - DRT
5,6 - RE
7,8,9 - REO

[HarveyWallbangers]

NFL.com


Draft Projection
Rounds 3-4

[run pMc]

The DL competition will be very interesting. I have to think they'll try Keke at Daniels' and Lowry's spots. Seems most likely to push MontRavenous Adams for the backup 3T spot - IIRC he had 7 sacks this past season.

[pbmax]

Agree.
Silverstein was publicly wondering if Daniels might get traded (presumably before TC, or mid-season a la HHCD). I think he's probably gone. He's the midget of the DLine compared to who Gute is bringing in, and he's pushing 30.

Normally, I would knock this Silverstein take as a continuation of the series, KGB MUST BE CUT NOW THERE IS NO MONEY!, that ran for 4 years because of his cap number. See also Driver, Hawk, Matthews and Graham.

Given that Daniels did not play a lot of the 2 man line before Wilkerson got hurt, I think there could have been something here. Maybe

But Wilkerson isn't back, Pettine has seen a season of Daniels and I don't think anyone sees Lowry, Lancaster or Mt. Adams starting ahead of him, So I am still skeptical. Doesn't mean they re-sign him, just that its not a forgone conclusion that he has been replaced. Absent another injury, I don't see his gone this year.

[Fritz]

Normally, I would knock this Silverstein take as a continuation of the series, KGB MUST BE CUT NOW THERE IS NO MONEY!, that ran for 4 years because of his cap number. See also Driver, Hawk, Matthews and Graham.

Given that Daniels did not play a lot of the 2 man line before Wilkerson got hurt, I think there could have been something here. Maybe

But Wilkerson isn't back, Pettine has seen a season of Daniels and I don't think anyone sees Lowry, Lancaster or Mt. Adams starting ahead of him, So I am still skeptical. Doesn't mean they re-sign him, just that its not a forgone conclusion that he has been replaced. Absent another injury, I don't see his gone this year.


The major premise of the article seemed to be that somehow Daniels was the odd man out because his build doesn't fit the physical "type" Gutekunst is seeking.

Two problems with that: first, the examples he used showed a range - is Daniels really that, that different from Dean Lowry in terms of "length"? Not really, Mr. Alligator Arms is tall but not long, so really, what's the big difference? Hell, Daniels has longer arms. And he's only two inches shorter than Keke. Oh, and Daniels has the same arm length as Kenny Clark, and weighs about the same. It's a sliding scale.

Secondly, you can use those metrics for scouting and drafting, but you have this one additional piece of information on Daniels that might account for something: his actual performance in the NFL. Turns out that he's pretty good. He's not great, but he's pretty good.

Does that mean that Daniels will be re-signed? Who knows? Maybe not. But to try to make a case that they're going to get rid of him because he doesn't fit in their box any more is kinda nutty.

[texaspackerbacker]

Daniels' popularity among some fans and media seems to be trending downward. I wonder whether the leadership of the Packers see it that way. I sure don't.

I hope Keke proves to be a good choice, but I don't have as positive an impression of him as some people. I tend to doubt he beats out Daniels, or Lowery or Adams either. It's entirely possible, though, that all four of them plus, of course, Clark, make the team.

Daniels signed a 4 year extension in December 2015. He is not a free agent, and I can't see him just being cut or traded in a giveaway type trade. Whether he will be extended again or re-signed after next season is a different question, and whether or not he has a nice bounce back season this year will have a lot to do with it.

[gbgary]

daniels is gone after this year...maybe sooner if they trade him. they need the cap space.

[MadScientist]

A player's popularity is primarily determined by the quality of his play, with some modifiers for behavior. Daniels is a FA after this season, so the Packers need to be prepared to move on. I'm sure the Packers brass hope Keke is part of the succession plan, with the luxury of having some time to develop the skills he needs, while contributing on ST. Daniels is 30 this year, so regardless of anything else, the odds are not high on getting another contract here.

[pbmax]

daniels is gone after this year...maybe sooner if they trade him. they need the cap space.

They don't need the space this year.

[Joemailman]

daniels is gone after this year...maybe sooner if they trade him. they need the cap space.

I don't see Daniels going anywhere this year unless like with HHCD they decide to get rid of a guy who doesn't want to be here. I don't know if Daniels is the type who would become a malcontent if he sees reduced playing time (which could happen). Probably not as long as the team is winning.