NFL Draft Profiles: Pass Rushers (Part 1)

Oct 19, 2013; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive end

(7) celebrates after sacking USC Trojans quarterback

(6) in the third quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame won 14-10. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

STEPHON TUITT

HEIGHT: 6-6 WEIGHT: 304 COLLEGE: Notre Dame

10 YARD SPLIT: n/a BENCH: 31 BROAD: n/a

Another guy who can win the one-on-one battles both inside and outside, Tuitt may be the best 3-4 lineman pass rusher in the draft. Everything you’re looking for in terms of an outside pass rusher is there in terms of athleticism and size, and power plays well on the interior line. Playing him inside with Poe and sending Houston and Hali from the edge should give the Chiefs a very good base pass rush.

Two negatives with Tuitt: injury and polish. Tuitt is dealing with a foot injury – a Jones fracture in his left foot – and hasn’t been able to do much pre-draft testing. Is this the beginning of a long-term issue for him or is this injury a one-time thing?

Tuitt is also a developing prospect who is does not have the same polish as some of the other prospects that will go in the first round. Drafting Tuitt, much like drafting Hageman, is drafting his potential with the possibility he will not be contributing on an every down basis in 2014. If the Chiefs are looking for immediate help then it may be a good idea to go a different direction.

Here’s Rang on Tuitt:

"Tantalizing upside. Highly athletic frame despite massive size. Impressive combination of length, power and surprising quickness. Scheme versatility for the 3-4 and 4-3, possessing the size of most interior linemen while maintaining the quickness to provide a rush off the edge."

A pre-draft injury has knocked Tuitt’s prospects down to the late first round or second round.