2014 NFL Combine Preview: Five Pass Rushers to Watch

Nov 3, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Matt Barkley (7) is pressured by Oregon Ducks defensive end Taylor Hart (66) at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

2. Taylor Hart

School: Oregon
Watch to Watch: Shuttle Drill, Rip and Swim
2013 Stats: 3 sacks, 6 tackles for loss
Met with Chiefs: No

Hart is an interesting guy for several reasons. One is he is a big dude, 6-6, 292 pounds and has played both on the interior and the edge. His role at Oregon has also moved around. In his junior season he was asked to rush the passer more, and he was successful – totaling eight sacks and 11 tackles for loss.

This season he had fewer snaps – Oregon kept blowing people out – and was asked to play in the middle of the line. There he saw his pass rush numbers go down, but he did record 43 tackles, force three fumbles, and defend five passes.

The question for Hart isn’t about his motor or his intangibles, but whether or not he has the quickness to be an edge pass rusher in a 3-4 defense. Should he be able to prove he has the tools to be a pass rusher, it may earn him some interest from the Chiefs.

Hart’s stock is low at the moment, setting somewhere in the sixth or seventh round. A good combine could pump him up into the fifth or fourth round, especially if he proves he can be a consistent pass rusher.