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

[Dante84]

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

[Halfcan]

Robust build with burly booty

sounds like a good Asset to have

[wasi]

Originally Posted by Easy 6

... 'I think you've had enough for today, young man'

Veach and co clearly have a plan, and its all about tweener types at every defensive position... everyone should be able to do a little bit of everything, it would seem

Front 7 versatility is at a premium

Williams and Nnadi are both undersized and athletic, but squatty built noses who can quickly leverage guys to break off single blocks and hustle to the ball... maybe even play them at end here and there

Jones, and now Speaks, are both hybrid edge types who can kick inside in subpackages, or play any other position along the line when needed... its an everyone should be able to do a little of everything, defense

OH NO, why am I getting flashbacks the Read and React defense run by that DC I know I can't name here.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by Dante84

Awesome. That's what we want; VALUE.

[pugsnotdrugs19]

Nnadi kinda gives me Mike Devito vibes. Which we’ve missed him quite a bit at times I believe.

The guy is going to shut down run plays often I believe. You could have him in on early downs and move Speaks or KPass inside on 3rd downs.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by pugsnotdrugs19

Nnadi kinda gives me Mike Devito vibes. Which we’ve missed him quite a bit at times I believe.

The guy is going to shut down run plays often I believe. You could have him in on early downs and move Speaks or KPass inside on 3rd downs.

And you had to go ruin my boner becauuuuuuuuuuuuuse?....

[KChiefs1]

Originally Posted by pugsnotdrugs19

Nnadi kinda gives me Mike Devito vibes. Which we’ve missed him quite a bit at times I believe.

The guy is going to shut down run plays often I believe. You could have him in on early downs and move Speaks or KPass inside on 3rd downs.

We traded up for Mike Devito?

[Dante84]

he's a big thrasher

[TEX]

Originally Posted by wasi

OH NO, why am I getting flashbacks the Read and React defense run by that DC I know I can't name here.

Yep. Lots of tweeners mean lots of problems. Always has.

[TEX]

Originally Posted by Pasta Giant Meatball

You've lost your damn mind

Not really. Jones makes some good plays. Then disappears. Then gets hurt.

[Chargem]

Originally Posted by TEX

Not really. Jones makes some good plays. Then disappears. Then gets hurt.

PFF ranked him as the 12th best interior lineman in 2017 I think. He also played every game in 2017, he's had injuries but I think only missed half a game of actual playing time?

[Chargem]

Anyway, I am okay with the Nnadi pick. He will do a good job stuffing the run and that's hard to dislike, but I feel like run stuffing potential has less value than pass rushing potential so I'm not sure I agree with the philosophy of the pick. I would rather buy run stuffers as they are cheap and take a flyer on a guy who could be a real disruptor as an interior pass rusher, although the draft is a little slim on them.

I'm not really on the "OMG WHY NO CB???" bandwagon but buying a run stuffing nose in FA costs a fraction of a quality corner in FA, so I would rather we tried to get 4 years of cheap coverage in the secondary than 4 years of cheap NT play from the draft.

[Flying High D]

Burly butt = hairy anus = Afro Ass

Is that what I’m hearing?

Thanks,
Harry Anus

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by Dante84

he's a big thrasher

I was happy with the pick.

I wanted him or Tim Settle in the 3rd and though Settle might be better. I'm a Noles homer though so I'm good.

Didn't reach on this pick, good player and good value with the pick. Low center of gravity, good push, solid against the run.

Veach clearly believes in building the defense from the front back and this guy is a pretty damned good NT to build around...

[Quesadilla Joe]

From Bob McGinn...

9. DERRICK NNADI, Florida State (6-1, 310, 5.39, 3): Started 37 of 48 games at NT. “Plays strong,” one scout said. “For a short, squatty guy he’s got a little bit of pass rush so you don’t always have to take him off the field. He’s a hold-the-point guy, first and foremost. Pretty instinctive guy.” Finished with 153 tackles (24 for loss) and 11 ½ sacks. “I like him better than Hurst,” another scout said. “Plays harder. Plays more violent. Hand use and leverage guy.” Parents are Nigerian. Ran a terrible 40. “Tested poorly,” said a third scout. “Pretty good player on tape. Good guy.” From Virginia Beach, Va.

[staylor26]

Yea I think Nnadi is a little better of a pass rusher than he’s given credit for.

11.5 career sacks is pretty good for a NT.