36. Bilal Nichols
Bilal Nichols is a fifth-round pick from Delaware. Despite playing in the small school, and playing defensive tackle, Nichols was able to shine to the point of being drafted.
Nichols put up 10.5 sacks over the past two seasons. It was enough to get him an invite to the NFL combine. At the combine, he showed that he is a high upside athlete who can translate his skills to the NFL.
He is above average compared to NFL standards in every athletic and physical trait. Nichols definitely has some ironing to do of his game. He has issues with pad level and struggled to get onto the field early into his career at Delaware.
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Still, his upside is not going to get him through waivers to the practice squad. He is going to make the team. Looking at the defensive line, he is essentially locked into the fifth defensive lineman spot behind Akiem Hicks, Eddie Goldman, Jonathan Bullard, Roy Robertson-Harris.
It means that as a rookie, he is not going to see the field more than ten snaps per game if things go well. Still, he is going to make the team and get to grow with the professional defensive line.
There are few expectations from Bilal Nichols this season. Still, he should handle his role find in season one and has a defined role.