From now until the 2017 NFL Draft takes place, we hope to showcase as many prospects as possible and examine both their strengths and weaknesses. Most of these profiles will feature individuals that the Pittsburgh Steelers are likely to have an interest in, while a few others will be top-ranked players. If there is a player you would like us to analyze, let us know in the comments below.
Nate Gerry/LB-S Nebraska – 6’2 218
The Good
– Big, impactful hitter who throws his weight around as a tackler, pop on contact
– Plays with good technique as a tackler, consistently is the low-man, comes to balance, and drives through with his lower half
– Takes good angles to the ball in run and pass, helps mask athletic deficiency
– Tracks the ball well in coverage and shows good ball skills
– Size to match up against tight ends in man coverage and isn’t as easily boxed out as smaller safeties or linebackers
– Versatile player who moved around the defense, capable playing the deep half Cover 2, in the box, or matched up on tight ends
– Tons of starting experience
– Solid production during senior season and throughout career, highly decorated player
– Seemingly strong character
The Bad
– Limited athletically, will get exposed in space, won’t be a single high safety
– Has trouble sideline-to-sideline reaching spot even with angle, causes missed tackles, and long speed is below average
– Schemes difficult to always discern but seems late to read keys vs the run, out of position more than you’d like to see, and has to get more width in flat when buzzing down as a safety
– Bit of a tweener and will have to create a use for him, likely not an every down defender even in best-case scenario
Bio
– 40 career starts for Cornhuskers
– Career: 273 tackles 19 TFL 13 INTs 3 FFs
– 2016: 74 tackles, 7 TFL 4 INTs
– Started three games at linebacker freshmen year before moving to safety
– AP third-team All-American in 2016, first-team AA by Pro Football Focus and First-Team Big Ten
– Two-time captain, named to team’s Citizenship unit in 2015 and 2016
– All-star in high school, played on defense, running back, kicked and punted, scored 22 touchdowns as a senior
– Highly decorated track runner, won two 200-meter South Dakota titles and the 100-meter as a senior
Tape Breakdown
Gerry fits the mold of one of several potential hybrid players in the NFL.