Part I of a comparative analysis with Ryan Riddle featuring two DT prospects against Alabama’s offensive line. 

Riddle and I spent two hours watching Nkemdiche and Ohio State’s Adolphus Washington against Alabama. We learned a lot about both players who have similar dimensions on paper, but the tape showed a lot of differences.

I split the episode into three parts:

• Nkemdiche (No.54)
• Washington (No.55)
• A recap of what we saw and a discussion on team-building with these two players in mind.

Although Washington is a more technically and conceptually savvy performer than Nkemdiche, I wasn’t thrilled with his motor or his athleticism when comparing him along an NFL standard for starting defensive tackle.  Nkemdiche is a fine athlete with excellent strength, but he has no idea what to do with it. It’s possible the NFL picks the Ole Miss tackle within the first three rounds of the draft, but learn from our discussion why an organization could be stepping onto a landmine if it places those kinds of expectations on Nkemdiche.

For analysis of skill players in this year’s draft class, download the 2016 Rookie Scouting Portfolio – early-bird purchase for April 1 download available now. Better yet, if you’re a fantasy owner the Post-Draft Add-on comes with the 2012 – 2015 RSPs at no additional charge. Best, yet, 10 percent of every sale is donated to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse. You can purchase past editions of the Rookie Scouting Portfolio for just $9.95 apiece