Over the past three years, the Kansas City Chiefs took steps to secure their defensive end depth. They drafted Felix Anudike-Uzomah and George Karlaftis in the first round and signed Mike Danna to a three-year extension.
Danna and Karlaftis play significant roles, but Anudike-Uzomah hasn’t developed into an impactful edge rusher.
Every year, more NFL teams run three or four-man rotations with their defensive ends and outside linebackers. The Chiefs lack that depth, which is crucial for the team’s Super Bowl window. Playing three or four playoff games annually increases the risk of injury to critical contributors and punishes teams with thin rosters.
Enter Ohio State defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau, who profiles as an instant contributor at the NFL level. His thick frame and heavy hands make him a natural power rusher. Tuimoloau converts his long strides into power as he locks out and drives offensive tackles back into the pocket. He posted several dominant plays against former Penn State left tackle Olu Fashanu in 2022 and 2023.
Olu Fashanu and JT Tuimoloau faced off 1v1 on only 10 dropbacks.
Fashanu won most of those reps, but these two plays help illustrate Tuimoloau's heavy hands and natural rush power. pic.twitter.com/YLXGm9ywS7
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) October 22, 2023
Tuimoloau works several pass rush moves and counters into his game. Using his quick hands, he executes cross-chops and club-rips. His other moves include an excellent spin counter and using a long-arm before ripping through and into the pocket.
Tuimoloau’s frame and effort make him a reliable run defender, and Ohio State trusts him to set the edge. He even excels at reading the quarterback’s eyes to swat down passes at the line of scrimmage.
Many college analysts and fans view Tuimoloau as a future first-round selection. The senior’s lack of elite athletic traits, stiffness, and inconsistent performances against top offensive tackle prospects, such as Joe Alt and Aireontae Ersery, make him a better fit for the second round.
The Buckeyes play their next game at home against Marshall on September 21.
