Nick Broeker NFL Draft Overview
Position: Guard
Height: 6′-4″
Weight: 305 pounds
School: Mississippi
2023 NFL Draft: Nick Broeker Scouting Report
Nick Broeker began his college career in Oxford in 2019, appearing in all 12 Ole Miss games that season, primarily at the left tackle position. In his second season for the Rebels, Broeker started all 10 of the Mississippi’s games in that 2020 Covid-19 shortened campaign. Broeker once again started every game (13) at left tackle for the Rebels, in 2021. In his final season in the Magnolia State, Broeker once again started all 13 of Mississippi’s games, but at left guard instead of his customary left tackle.
Strengths
- Drives opponents backward/away from the ball carrier on running plays;
- Plays from the snap until the whistle blows;
- Gets to the second level with ease and efficiency;
- Strong hands that he glues to opponents’ numbers;
- Actively looks for an opponent to block, when not engaged at the snap.
Weaknesses
- Not a dynamic-moving lineman;
- Will get called for holding as hands frequently slide outside opponents shoulder pads;
- Can get too tall, especially on down blocks;
- Hand-fighting needs to improve at the next level;
- Pass blocking needs work.
NFL Comparison: Ryan Bates
Teams With Need At Position: Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Washington Commanders
Projection: Rounds 5-6
Bottom Line on Nick Broeker
There is a lot to like about Nick Broeker. He offers versatility to an NFL team that is in need of offensive linemen, as he played the offensive tackle position for the majority of his college career. In his final season, he showed he was a very effective guard, which is likely where he will play at the NFL level.
He is a physical lineman who is known for driving his opponents back and/or away from the ball carrier, during the run. He is tenacious and will play until he hears a whistle blow. Broeker is able to get to the second level quickly and easily and makes it look very natural. He has very strong hands and frequently is able to get inside his opponent’s shoulder pads and keep his hands on his opponent’s numbers. He never stops playing and if not engaged with a defensive opponent at the snap, will actively look for someone to block, a quality that will serve him well at the NFL level.
What Broeker lacks is he is not known for being an athletic/dynamic lineman, and though he often is able to get his hands on his opponents’ numbers, his hands will drift outside of the shoulder pads, and he will get called for holding frequently. At times, he gets too tall and is easily controlled by his opponent, especially on down blocks. Broeker will need to up his hand-fighting game to be competitive at the next level. One aspect of his game that needs to see improvement is his pass-blocking ability. Broeker could have had another year of NCAA eligibility, which likely would have assured him of being an earlier pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, but foregoing that final year of eligibility will make Broeker a fifth or sixth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft instead.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee – USA Today Sports
