Davis Tull to the New Orleans Saints: Full Draft-Pick Breakdown

With their first pick of Day 3, the New Orleans Saints nabbed edge defender Davis Tull of Chattanooga.

The pick confirms that the Saints, who went offensive line and inside linebacker in Round 1, are, in fact, very committed to upgrading their pass rush. New Orleans was expected to field a strong pass rush in 2014 but was unsatisfactory, for the most part.

Although he waited until Day 2, general manager Mickey Loomis has addressed the issue in a big way with the selections of Hau’oli Kikaha in the second round and Tull in the fifth.

Tull was highly productive for Chattanooga, albeit at the FCS level. He registered 10.5 sacks for the Mocs last season, along with 18 tackles for loss. He totaled 37 sacks and 60 tackles for loss during his four-year career, and he finished with 196 tackles.

He was named the Southern Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year three consecutive times (2012-14), and he was a three-time FCS All-American.

Tull has adequate size for a pass-rusher at 6’2” and 246 pounds, and, like Kikaha, he’s a player who gives outstanding effort play-in and play-out.

He boasts a quick first step off the edge, and he displays an ability to adjust while in space. He also has a nice inside move in his arsenal, and he does a nice job setting it up.

Unlike many pass-rushing specialists, Tull is no one-trick pony. As a run defender, he sheds blocks well, diagnoses quickly and displays exceptional toughness and physicality. His on-field speed allows him to cover lots of ground, and it wasn’t uncommon to see him chasing down ball-carriers from behind in games.

Although he didn't compete very often against FBS competition at the collegiate level, there's no denying Tull's status as an explosive athlete, as he was able to put up impressive numbers at the NFL scouting combine. He posted a 42.5-inch vertical, and he also threw up 26 repetitions on the bench, despite suffering from an injured shoulder.

The big knock on Tull is his level of competition. Dominating at the FCS level is no small feat, but it goes without saying that he won’t be able to have his way against NFL tackles nearly as easily as he did at Chattanooga. It should be noted, however, that he turned in respectable showings against both Alabama and Tennessee.

Dave Martin/Associated Press

In New Orleans, the intense edge-rusher isn’t likely to vie for a starting position right off the bat, but he could come in and provide quality depth in Rob Ryan’s defense. Even though he lined up in a three-point stance on most snaps in college, Ryan will probably stand him up on the edge as an outside ‘backer and attempt to get him in space. There's a good chance the Saints will use Kikaha in similar fashion, thus giving them two athletic, stand-up edge-rushers.

It’s a safe bet that he’ll be used on obvious passing downs, provided he’s able to earn a roster spot in the fall and work his way onto the field.  

Tull’s greatest asset in the league will be his relentless motor and his hard-nosed approach to the game. In time, he could develop into a consistent, productive performer for the Saints.