Jets add DT Nathan Shepherd in Third Round

Overview

Shepherd is raw, but he could be well worth a team’s time as a day two selection thanks to his NFL-caliber traits and his flashes as a pass rusher. Shepherd lined up inside in college, but may be better suited as a 4i or five-technique in a 3-4 front. While he won’t be ready early on, he has the ability to become a productive NFL starter and his practices at the Senior Bowl showed that he could handle the step up in competition.

Strengths

• Looks the part in the pads
• Has added almost 100 pounds to his frame since high school and he still has room for strength gains
• Has tapered frame with good length
• Self-aware
• Diagnoses and works on his weaknesses
• Plus athlete with flexible hips and good lateral quickness
• His physical traits and athletic ability will be considered moldable clay by NFL evaluators and coaches
• Flashes a big-time hand slap and hip flip to hurl himself around a blocker’s edge as a rusher
• Athletic when pursuing in space

Weaknesses

• Still very raw and has yet to get even a taste of the level of competition headed his way
• His first couple of seasons could be redshirt years
• Needs to develop a much better feel for blocking schemes
• Allows down blocks to get too far into him
• Tries to fight off double teams with force over technique
• Hands need development to help unleash his potential at the point of attack
• Unable to dominate his opposition as often as expected
• Gets glued to blocks
• Needs to play with more edge on the field

Following the departure of Muhammad Wilkerson, the Jets had a need along the defensive line and they hope Shepherd fits the bill. You can read more about Nathan Shepherd in our forums.