Chiefs *****The Derrick Nnadi Thread*****

Dante84 · 07:54 PM

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Overview
Listed at 6-foot-1, 312 pounds, Nnadi is not the largest nose tackle in front of scouts during the 2017 season. Few will outwork him, however, as he was named a third-team All-ACC selection, compiling 56 tackles, 10 for loss, and 3.5 sacks in 13 starts. ACC coaches named him first-team all-conference in 2016 after earning the team's Defensive Most Improved Player award in the spring. Nnadi started 11 of 13 games played, fighting through an early-season ankle injury to be credited with 49 tackles from the middle, 10.5 for loss, and six sacks. He collected third-team all-conference accolades from league media as a sophomore, starting every game (45 tackles, two sacks), following a true freshman campaign that saw him on the field for nine games (18 tackles, six against Georgia Tech's triple-option rushing attack in the ACC Championship Game). Despite his lack of height, Nnadi was considered a top 10 defensive tackle prospect nationally after amassing 33 sacks in his final two years of high school ball.

It's hard to find "bad tape" for Nnadi. While NFL teams may see an undersized 4-3 nose tackle with limited pass rush value, I see a player with good power at the point of attack who can dislodge from single blocks and make plays. Nnadi has a good motor, active hands and enough pass rush ability to cause problems for blockers up front. Nnadi has the physical tools to play in one or two-gap schemes and has NFL starting ability.

Strengths

Robust build with burly booty
Low center of gravity increases leverage along interior
Possesses outstanding play strength and can chunk plates around in the weight room like it's nothing
Has good snap quickness
Able to attack gaps or read and react as 2-gapper
Keeps eyes peeled on ball-carriers
Can stick and shed blockers to catch runners darting through his gaps
Lateral agility and low pad level make him hard to secure and pin on move blocks
Productive tackler with good range
Leverages gap and works to maintain run fits
Shows ability to recover when attacked and dislodged from angle block
As a pass rusher, can counter from gap to gap when facing single block
Utilizes a swim and a quality slap and rip to attack the edge
Has lower body drive to generate some pocket push

Weaknesses

Despite his compact build and quality mass, is still undersized by NFL standards as interior player
Will get big-boyed at times when he's facing a wide-body with power
Needs to win early with his hands to stay ahead in the rep
Can still improve quickness to diagnose run direction
Base is a little inconsistent through contact and he will lose some ground against quality double teams
Pass rush loses steam when guards land a stiff, initial jab to start the rep