2021 NFL Mock Draft: Trevor Lawrence tank pays off for Jaguars, Trey Lance to Raiders
Jay Tufele. player. 35. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. DL. USC. 20
One of the biggest shockers of the 2020 offseason was the Tennessee Titans trading Jurrell Casey for only a seventh-round pick. It was clearly a salary-cap dump, potentially to make way for another free agency move. But regardless, his departure leaves a hole up front as Jeffery Simmons can step up but only plays one position. That’s why they could look at someone like USC’s Jay Tufele in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Charlie Campbell of Walter Football gave some quick insight into how Tufele has developed in his time with the Trojans and what could make him a nice player at the next level:
"In 2019, Tufele was a disruptive presence for USC, totaling 42 tackles with 4.5 sacks and a pass batted. His run defense was improved, and he looks like he has upside to improve as an upperclassman. After redshirting in 2017, Tufele made an impressive debut for the Trojans in 2018, racking up three sacks with 23 tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss and a blocked field goal. Tufele has the upside to grow and be better as he gains experience."
The 6-3, 305-pound Trojan could be the replacement for Casey in Tennessee. His ability to both affect the rushing and passing attacks up front could mirror what Casey did for the Titans, even if he’s not a star-caliber player to that degree. For a team that clearly has a nice vision, Tufele would seemingly fit.