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Played in 2015 East-West Shrine Game. Posted at least 40 tackles, 7 tackles for loss and 2 sacks for three straight seasons. Selected first-team All-Mountain West in 2014 after leading team in sacks with 8. Had slow start to 2014 season thanks to move outside, but came on after being moved back inside to nose guard. Selected second-team All-Mountain West in 2013 and first-team All-Mountain West in 2012. Football player and wrestler in high school. Nicknamed "Rhino" due to playing style.

New Orleans Saints select DT Tyeler Davison in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft

ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS Built like a contestant in a strong-man competition. Has thickly muscled, long arms with big hands. Loves hand-to-hand combat inside. Uses club, rip, hump and push/pull techniques to beat defender. Has power to forcibly extract himself from block. Feels double team and braces outside leg and gets duck-footed to battle. Uses length to overcome lack of height. Relies on upper-body flexibility paired with explosion in his hips. Has quickness and "quick-win" capability to get after the quarterback and play on the other side of the line. Very tough at the point of attack and tries to impose his will on centers. Played 80 percent of the defensive snaps. Likeable with high character. High school wrestling background.

WEAKNESSES Can only play in a four-man front. Has power and athleticism but wasn't at his best against the best competition he faced early in the season. Struggles to change directions quickly enough in confined spaces and misses tackles because of it. Might need to add more weight to be able to hold up as a nose in the NFL. Some scouts believe he didn't give his best effort when asked to move to defensive end early in the season. Gets caught up in fighting man in front of him and will lose sight of the ball sometimes.

DRAFT PROJECTION Rounds 3 or 4

SOURCES TELL US "He plays too laterally to me. I know he's strong and all that but I want to see him up the field more and not just against the weakest parts of the schedule." -- NFC West scout

"When I study him, I see a disruptive tackle-splitter. He can't play in an odd front, obviously, but when he gets technique work, I think you could see him really take off." -- NFC area scout

NFL COMPARISON Kyle Williams (Bills)

BOTTOM LINE Davison is a powerful defensive tackle who has above-average athleticism and saw his overall production spike in 2014. He is well-conditioned and can play all three downs if called upon to do so. With his athleticism, balance and power, Davison has the potential to be an outstanding pro, but he must prove that he can bring those same traits into play against better competition.

Tyeler Davison Draft Profile


Tyeler Davison talks about being drafted by the Saints

What are your thoughts about joining New Orleans and receiving that call?

“It’s a great feeling. I’m sitting here watching the draft with my family, and it feels good to get your name called, especially by a great name like the Saints. I couldn’t be happier.”

Did you visit New Orleans or did you have any idea that they would possibly be taking you?

“I actually did visit down to New Orleans not too long ago. I had a little bit of an idea that they were interested, but you never know what can happen in the draft. I did take a visit down there, so I knew a little bit.”

Did you have a watching party yesterday, or did you think that it would be today?

“I just had my family and a couple of friends over. I knew there was a possibility yesterday, but I knew it was probably going to be today and I told everybody that. Everyone came back for today too, so it wasn’t a huge deal. It wasn’t anything like Jameis Winston or anything like that, I just had a couple of friends over.”

Is that wait difficult, even though you have a feeling that it’s going to be day three?

“Yes, it is a little bit difficult. It was a little bit tough to wait through it all, but it’s worth it in the end.”

Read more: Tyeler Davison talks about being drafted by the Saints

halloween 65

I wouldn't sleepon this kid. I like this pick. Strong as hell.

ChrisXVI

Fantastic pick! Will take the vacant spot left by Tyrunn Walker and if Akiem Hicks isn't careful this guy could take his job.

Danno

Well since we don't play a lot of 3-4, it won't be a problem

FinSaint

Yeah, the first phrase in the "weakness" section was can't play in an odd front, so it's a headscratcher.

Danno

It also doesn't make sense. There are 2 types of 3-4 fronts, and one includes a DT with 4-3 skills.

Is he talking a tradition 2 gap NT? or a 1 gap 3-4 front?

papz

They also compare him to All Pro Kyle Williams who's been outstanding in both schemes.

FinSaint

I understood it as him being a 3-tech only, not being able to play 0-tech.

...at least yet. I don't think he lacks anything physical to be an NT. I guess he needs to learn to play with a lower center of gravity, but I have little faith in Johnson being able to groom a gem out of him, and that's mostly on BJ.

dizzle88

After watching the highlights I feel really good about this pick

The push he was getting and the way he sheds blocks is unbelievable.

mighty12

Wow, this guy was not on my radar(give me a break guys I am out of the country half the year) but watching him through youtube has me really impressed. I think our 4-3 set is complete now.