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Tyson Alualu, a defensive tackle from Cal, is the kind of player who offers an intriguing range of possibilities in the middle to late rounds of the upcoming NFL Draft.
Alualu is a 6-foot-2, 295-pound player who offers athleticism and the ability to pretty much play all across the defensive line. About the only place he doesn't seem to fit would be as a 3-4 nose tackle, since he is much too small.
Alualu has a reputation as a hard-working, never quit kind of player. Sounds to me like a player Giants coach Tom Coughlin might really like (except for the hair, that is).
So, let's take a closer look at Alualu in today's Daily NFL Draft Prospect Profile.
Tyson Alualu Scouting Reports
From SB Nation's Mocking The Draft.
Has seen plenty of action inside and out, left and right. Even spent some time standing up as a rush linebacker. Can be a fit for any scheme because of his natural size and above average athleticism in tight space.
One game tape watched on Alualu, and it is hard not to fall in love with the his style of play. He may lack size, speed, and explosion but the motor he plays with cannot be topped. He is giving 100% on each play no matter the situation or opponent, something that most defensive lineman cannot say. Another attractive portion of Alualu’s game is his ability to play all spots along the defensive front. His best fit may come as defensive end in a 3-4 scheme where he has the technician type approach and is also very difficult for one blocker to keep at bay. He has the athleticism that a coach can use in creative packages, as seen in his ability to rush the edge as well as drop in to coverage via the zone blitz. The players that produce consistently despite the physical shortcomings are always worth a second look. Alualu is wise beyond his years and will enter the league with more maturity than the normal rookie. His set of intangibles is what coaches look for when searching for those vital role players, and he should get his name called before the end of round 3.
From DraftAce.
Excellent athlete for an interior lineman. Very active and plays with a motor that never dies. ... Doesn't have elite size.
He'll ace all his interviews with teams and win over a lot of coaching staffs with what he brings to the locker room. Given his lack of elite size, some teams may not consider him a fit for their system. He would be an ideal fit as a three-technique tackle in a 4-3 scheme, or potentially a defensive end in a 3-4 scheme.
From the National Football Post.
A tweener who played the five-technique defensive end spot as a senior, Alualu projects as a three-technique guy in the NFL. His versatility, however, allows him to play as a base defensive end on run downs. Displays a great motor, works hard in pursuit and plays until the whistle. Exhibits good range inside and has the athleticism to get after the ball, consistently making plays off his frame.
One of the most disruptive defensive linemen in the country, Alualu has the ability to shed blocks and make plays in the run and pass game. He will definitely add some versatility to a defense.
Why Alualu fits with the Giants
Because when Barry Cofield is the best defensive tackle you have, an upgrade is in order. I like Cofield, but he is a complementary player and not a dominant one. There are questions about all of the remaining tackles on the roster, so the Giants at the very least could benefit from adding some competition and athleticism to their rotation. Alualu would do that as a mid- to late-round choice. And he offers positional versatility, something we should know by now GM Jerry Reese loves.
Why the Giants should pass
Because what the Giants really need is a run-stuffing defensive tackle. Alualu might be a tad under-sized in the middle, and his ability to hold up against the NFL's behemoth guards in run support is probably the biggest question about him at defensive tackle.
(E-mail Ed at bigblueview@gmail.com. Follow Big Blue View on Twitter.)