NFL Draft News & Analysis

2018 Prospect Preview: How FSU interior defender Derrick Nnadi could become a first rounder

TALLAHASSEE, FL - SEPTEMBER 12: Derrick Nnadi #91 of the Florida State Seminoles in action against the South Florida Bulls during the game at Doak Campbell Stadium on September 12, 2015 in Tallahassee, Florida. Florida State defeated South Florida 34-14. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

  • Florida State interior defender Derrick Nnadi put up solid numbers in 2016, which earned him a Day 2 PFF draft projection for the upcoming season. With another solid year of production, Nnadi could even become the first interior defender taken in the 2018 NFL Draft.
  • Nnadi returns as one of the best run-stopping defenders in college football as his run stop percentage of 12.8 ranks No. 3 in the draft class among interior defenders. Nnadi had 28 stops in run defense versus only two missed tackles on 219 run snaps (a stop is a tackle made that results in a “win” for the defense), producing the lowest percentage of negatively-graded plays against the run in the draft class.
  • Nnadi also flashed an ability to rush the passer last year. His pass rush productivity (PRP) of 8.1 ranks No. 18 in the draft class (PRP measures pressure created on a per snap basis with weighting towards sacks).
  • Developing more moves to rush the passer should be the focus for Nnadi next season. He ranked only No. 74 in the class picking up an inside pressure once every 60.6 rushes and ranked No. 90 picking up an outside pressure once every 60.6 rushes last season.

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