Kilbane is a big-bodied, effort-driven edge setter who profiles more as a run-defense-first contributor than a dynamic pass rusher at the next level. At 6-5, 275, he has legitimate NFL size and plays with the kind of relentless motor that coaches love, but his 3.5 sacks in a rotational role behind Anto Saka and Aidan Hubbard at Northwestern tell an honest story about his pass rush ceiling. PFF liked his tape more than film grinders did — he posted grades around 80 with a 19% win rate, but that production was heavily concentrated against weaker Big Ten opponents. He's the kind of prospect who could stick on an NFL roster as a run-stuffing rotational end if he can clean up his edge-setting discipline, but expecting more than that would be projecting traits that don't show up on tape.

• 🃏Excellent size for the position at 6-5, 275 lbs — has the frame NFL teams want on the edge
• 🔥High-motor player who was described as having 'elite motor' dating back to his recruiting profile and played every game in 2025
• 🧱Productive run defender who led Northwestern in tackles-for-loss (7.5) in 2025 despite sharing snaps
• 🏋️Earned strong PFF grades (around 80 overall, 80+ pass rush in spot games like Purdue) suggesting scheme-reliable play

• 🚀Limited pass rush production — only 3.5 sacks in 13 games as a primary rotational piece, suggesting he lacks a consistent plan to win on the edge against quality tackles
• 🚀Film evaluators noted he was 'more of a run-setting edge rather than a pure pass rusher' and gave up the edge in run defense against Nebraska's tackles
• −Not invited to the NFL Combine despite being a Big Ten contributor — a signal that NFL scouts do not view him as a draftable prospect currently
• 🚀Production was heavily concentrated against weaker opponents; PFF grades and pressures dropped against elite competition