100 Days of Mocks: Pass-Rushing Defensive Lineman Highlights Two-Rounder
GREEN BAY, Wis. – In 2022, the Green Bay Packers’ defensive line should have been a strength with first-round pick Devonte Wyatt merely fifth on the depth chart.
Things change in a hurry in the NFL, which is why CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson went with USC’s Tuli Tuipulotu in the second round of a new mock draft.
Veteran stalwarts Jarran Reed and Dean Lowry are set to be free agents when the league-year begins on March 15. That leaves Kenny Clark, T.J. Slaton and Wyatt as the top three, and Jonathan Ford – who was inactive for all 17 games as a seventh-round rookie – as the next man up.
Listed at 6-foot-4 and 290 pounds, Tuipulotu is coming off a monster final season for the Trojans with 13.5 sacks and 22 tackles for losses. He won the Morris Trophy as the Pac-12’s best defensive lineman, an award voted on by the conference’s offensive linemen, was named the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year and was a unanimous first-team All-American.
How he’ll be used in the NFL, and how he’ll acclimate to whatever his new role, will be a critical component.
Notes Pro Football Focus: “Tuipulotu played primarily edge for USC in 2022, but his most impressive plays came on the interior. There, his quick twitch and quick processing ability shined. He needs to get a touch stronger to hold up there consistently, but he’s only a junior entering the draft and will do so.”
He is Daniel Jeremiah’s 47th-ranked prospect.
Reads part of Jeremiah’s report at NFL.com: Tuipulotu was a highly productive edge rusher for the Trojans. He lined up inside earlier in his career, but later lost weight and primarily played on the outside. As a pass rusher, he doesn’t have a dynamic get-off, but he is very active with his hands, and his motor never stops. He has a strong, steady bull rush because of his powerful lower half. He is an excellent finisher.”
As he blossomed on the field, he became a quiet leader.
“There's times when we gotta get out in front, and he's done it, he's talked to the team on a number of occasions, which I don't know if he would have done before,” Trojans coach Lincoln Riley said.
“He's not our rah-rah guy, he's not a guy you're going to hear every day, but he's had some really strong impactful moments with this team. I've seen him more vocal around his teammates, whether it's encouraging them or challenging them or anything in between. And so I've been impressed with him because he's had to get out of his comfort zone a little bit.”
Football is in the DNA. Older brother Marlon played in nine games in 2022 for the Philadelphia Eagles.
“Ever since high school, I was expected to be Marlon or be better than him,” Tuli said. “I’m just trying to produce for my team, trying to make a name for myself. [Marlon] always tells me, ‘Don’t listen to everyone else.’ He tells me to just be myself and do what I do.”
To see the first-round pick – a frequent choice in mocks – and the rest of the picks, click here.
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100 Days of Mocks
Starting Jan. 17, when there were 100 days until the start of the NFL Draft, we started our mock-worthy goal of 100 mock drafts in 100 days. Here’s the 100-day-countdown series.
67 days: Three-rounder starts with receiver
68 days: Grandson of Glory Years legend
69 days: Mayer to Packers in SI mock
70 days: Football Outsiders picks pass rusher
71 days: 33rd Team trades Rodgers in two-rounder
71 days (bonus): Todd McShay 2.0
72 days: Packers take receiver to start NFL.com three-rounder
73 days: Packers fill big need with big man
74 days: Rodgers traded, take two pass-catchers in first round
75 days: Two NFL.com mocks, two different tight ends
76 days: Tight end and pass rusher in two-rounder by NFL Draft Bible
77 days: Rodgers traded to Raiders for No. 7 pick
78 days: A seven-round mock includes Big Ten playmakers
79 days: Rodgers traded in two-round mock
80 days: Packers take safety in ESPN mock
81 days: Aaron Rodgers traded in three-round mock
82 days: Seven mocks, including NFL.com
83 days: Two pass-catchers in first-round mocks
84 days: Aaron Rodgers traded for extra first-round pick
85 days: PFF picks a pass rusher
86 days: Tight end in NFL Draft Bible Mock
87 days: Packers trade back, get extra second-rounder
88 days: Sorry, vacation day.
89 days: A “Eureka!” moment in two-round mock
90 days: Playmaking cornerback at PFF
91 days: Three defensive backs in seven-round mock
92 days: Kiper takes a tight end
93 days: Safety first for Bucky Brooks in NFL.com mock
94 days: College Football News mocks Mayer
95 days: Two firsts if Rodgers is traded
96 days: NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah goes back to Georgia
97 days: This pick would break a long drought
