NFP Prospect Focus: Bud Dupree and Davis Tull

As I've stated before, the 2015 NFL Draft is loaded with edge pass rushers. There are productive pass rushers who can play as an end in a 4-3 or as an outside linebacker in a 3-4. That versatility makes them more valuable in that most of the 32 teams in the league will have interest. Bud Dupree – Kentucky Dupree has been a hot name since his strong combine performance. The big Kentucky DE/OLB showed up at Indy measuring 6’4 – 269. He also had a 42” vertical jump and an 11’6” standing long jump. Both of those numbers are unheard of for a player the size of Dupree. He did not run the agility drills and his 40 time was inconsistent (one was a 4.73 while the other was 4.57). At his pro day earlier this month, he did run the 20-yard shuttle and the 3-cone, and his times for those were 4.46 and 7.45 respectively. Those times match up more closely to the 4.73 40 time. His play speed on tape is also more in the 4.65-4.70 range. Dupree is a three-year starter for Kentucky with good overall production. In the last two seasons, he combined for 135 tackles and 14.5 sacks. As his Indy numbers show, he is a very good athlete with quick change of direction and body control. He plays with strength at the POA and can set the edge. He is asked to drop into coverage a lot and shows a good drop, awareness in zone, and the ability to transition. On the negative side, I feel his instincts are average. He can be a bit slow to react, doesn’t always play to his timed speed, and can have some trouble when asked to play man coverage. Overall, he is a better athlete than player. He is tough and is a top competitor but not a really quick reactor. He makes the plays he should make, but you expect an athlete like him to make more. I see a player with upside, but he is not quite there yet. His tape says he should be a second round pick, but because of his great workout, he could very well go in the first round. Davis Tull – Tennessee –Chattanooga Tull is a fun guy to watch on tape because he makes plays all over the field and plays every down from snap to whistle. He is a top competitor who dominates the FCS level of competition. In his four years at UT – Chattanooga, he had a whopping 37 sacks including 19.5 the last two seasons. While NFL scouts have known about Tull for quite some time, draft fans found out about him at the combine. At Indy, he weighed in a 6025 – 246. He didn’t run because of a hamstring issue but did leap 42.5” in the vertical jump and also had an 11’ standing long jump. Earlier this month, he ran at his pro day and timed 4.57. On tape, Hull is a relentless competitor who makes plays from sideline to sideline. He has top instincts, plays with strength, and is consistently around the ball. While he is a good run defender, he is best as a pass rusher, where he shows an explosive bull rush as well as speed off the edge. He is good at putting counter moves together. While Tull played down as a defensive end in college, he will be used as an OLB in the NFL. He will need to get comfortable in pass coverage. With his instincts, intelligence, and athleticism, that shouldn’t be a problem. On the downside, Hull had labrum surgery shortly after his pro day. While he should be ready for the start of training camp, there is a possibility that he does miss some time. When you factor in that, as well as the fact that he will not be able to participate in OTA’s, and he is from an FCS school, his draft stock could drop a little. Still, he should get drafted in the third or fourth round. This is a player with a lot of upside and a bright future, so my thinking is that the injury will hurt him a little but not much. Follow Greg on Twitter @greggabe

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