FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at Auburn cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett.
2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Nehemiah Pritchett
Nehemiah Pritchett (CB – Auburn)
6’1″ – 184 lbs.
Background:
Three-star recruit and Alabama local who played sparingly in 2019 before taking over a starting job in the second game of the shortened 2020 season. That year, allowed just 14/38 passing (36.8%) for 164 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and seven breakups. Wasn’t quite as effective the next year, but still had a respectable line of 35/57 (61.4%), 433 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and four breakups. In 2022, allowed 28/58 (48.3%) for 346 yards, one touchdown, and eight breakups. Missed the beginning of this past season (nine starts on the year) and finished having allowed 12/26 (46.2%) for 134 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and three breakups.
Positives:
Four-year SEC starter who’s taller than your typical corner, with good length. Usually plays on the boundary side of the Auburn defense opposite D.J. James; the Tigers’ scheme calls for a lot of high zone coverage out of press looks. Game has the type of refinement you’d expect given his extensive first-team experience. Shows patience when playing press-man. Balance and footwork look good when backpedaling to depth. A smooth athlete overall, with solid top-end speed. Gets his hands on opponents to feel routes developing and squeeze them at the stem. Uses his length well to pin opponents to the sidelines when defending outside releases, and when going for the breakup. Does a good job of keeping the play in front of him when working in zone, forcing offenses to dink-and-dunk their way down the field. Willing in run support, with good effort in pursuit. Gets good extension to lock out would-be blockers.
Negatives:
Frame is on the thin side for a taller cornerback, and doesn’t have the most functional strength. Can be overpowered and bullied at the stem by bigger receivers. Wasn’t the biggest ballhawk in school. Some contact balance issues crop up when taking on blockers. Tends to fall off of a lot of tackles, and will lapse into throwing his body around as a hitter instead of wrapping.
Summary:
A similar player to teammate D.J. James; both are experienced, polished technicians with smooth athleticism and tall, lanky frames. I don’t see a whole lot to distinguish them, other than tackling. Whereas his teammate has been a surprisingly reliable tackler, Pritchett has had some issues with missed tackles, owing to his lack of ideal functional strength and some lapses in technique. For that reason, I have him ranked a little bit lower. Could conceivably fit in almost any type of defensive scheme, aside from perhaps a Tampa-2 type.
Projection: Round 4
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