3. Dadi Lhomme Nicolas, Virginia Tech
Experience: Senior
Height/Weight: 6-3/235
Projected Round: 4th-6th
2015 Stats: 45 tackles; 7 tackles for loss; 2.5 sacks; 2 passes defended; 2 forced fumbles; 2 fumble recoveries
If the Broncos are looking for a project that has a lot of potential, Dadi Lhomme Nicolas may certainly be the guy. A defensive end in college, Nicolas was misused, and that significantly effected his production his senior year. In his junior year, he accumulated 18.5 tackles for loss to go along with nine sacks.
Nicolas has a lot of talent and potential, while still being relatively new to the game. He didn’t start playing football until his senior year of high school and already possesses some great attributes for a pass rusher.
The NFL community believes that Nicolas ideally belongs as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme, making him a natural fit in Denver. Nicolas has many traits that you look for in a pass rusher, such as great acceleration, good up-field burst, quick jump off of the line and active hands, which let him keep blockers off of him and a NFL type body frame.
While he has a NFL body and frame, he needs to continue to add muscle to develop his strength. He has below-average strength and defenders are able to control him once they get hold of him and because of this he can be a liability in the running game, much like Ngakoue.
While Nicolas would be a project for the Broncos, he could have an instant impact on special teams as he has blocked many field goals at Virginia Tech. Even though Nicolas has a long way to go before becoming an impactful outside linebacker in the NFL, his upside along with his hustle and great work ethic, make him a very intriguing mid-to-late-round prospect.
