NFL Draft: Q&A with Draft Guru Tony Pauline

Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive end Stephon Tuitt (7) sacks Michigan State Spartans quarterback Connor Cook (18). Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Q. The Packers are going to need to add some defensive linemen this offseason. You already talked about Nix, so what are your thoughts on Ra’Shede Hageman, Aaron Donald, and Stephon Tuitt?

Pauline: I don’t want to say Ra’Shede Hageman was bad at the Senior Bowl, but I don’t think he played as good as many people thought he should have. He definitely hurt his draft stock. Aaron Donald was tremendous in Mobile and really stood out all week.

I’m not a fan at all of Tuitt. I think he’s overrated. He’s a big tall guy that’s got great size. He dominates on occasion, but he’s a tall guy who plays tall. He lets people underneath him and doesn’t consistently play with leverage. If you watch the Michigan game he was being taken out of plays by tight ends. He’ll wow everybody on occasion and then he’ll disappear for three or four series.

While Tuitt is a good developmental prospect that may be good in time, there is no way in my opinion you take that type of player in round one. I think he’s more of a day two player.

Q. Why do you think Tuitt is overrated?

Pauline: Because he played for Notre Dame. If you really went back, this is even the case with Manti Teo. Louis Nix, in my opinion, was really the straw that stirred the drink there. When Nix was able to wreak havoc up front that was when Teo was really doing his damage, and that goes with Tuitt as well.

Q. Are there any defensive linemen who could be options for the Packers in the later rounds?

Pauline: Beau Allen of Wisconsin is an athletic nose tackle that can make plays outside of the box. I think he’s a guy who really does not get the recognition he deserves. Jay Bromley of Syracuse played well at the Senior Bowl. He’s not a playmaker, but he’s a big, strong gap occupier in the middle of the line. Also, Zach Kerr of Delaware is a guy Packers fans should keep an eye on. He’s an athletic, strong interior lineman that could play a one-gap type nose tackle position.