Nehemiah Pritchett NFL Draft Profile
- College: Auburn
- College Position: Cornerback
- Ideal NFL Position: Cornerback
- Height/Weight: 6'1", 184 pounds
- Year / Age: Fifth-year senior / 23
- Draft Projection: Third round
- Where I'd Take Him: Early fourth round
Background
Nehemiah Pritchett is a former consensus three-star recruit and the No. 41 cornerback prospect (per 247Sports) who was named to the Alabama High School All-Star roster in 2018.
A fifth-year senior for the Tigers, Pritchett has been a mainstay since his sophomore season in 2020 when he logged 616 snaps and posted an opposing quarterback rating of 48.6 when targeted.
At the outset of the 2023 season, Pritchett entered the campaign having taken the field more times than any other player on Auburn's roster. This experience and seniority helped him pave the way for his fellow defensive backs, and his dedication to his studies resulted in a degree in exercise science while working toward a second undergraduate degree.
In 2023, Pritchett recorded 471 snaps, 20 tackles, four assists, eight stops, three pass breakups, and one interception. Opposing quarterbacks had a 54.8 rating when targeting Pritchett, and his PFF score for the season was a solid 71.1.
Strengths
- Excellent press-man technique, ability to trail receivers across the width of the field
- Good size allows him to challenge receivers at catch point consistently
- Long levers help compensate for sloppy technique at times
- Good long speed on vertical routes
Weaknesses
- Gets washed away in the run game by wide-receiver blocks
- Poor tackler, consistently throws shoulder instead of wrapping up
- Gets a little grabby if beaten
- Though physically tall, he lacks strength and has a wiry frame
- Lacks zone instincts, gets lost in space at times
- Questionable football IQ
- Occasionally gives up too much ground in drop
Final Thoughts and Chicago Bears Fit for Nehemiah Pritchett
Pritchett wouldn't be a good fit for the Chicago Bears. Though his press-man technique is quite good, his lack of instincts for zone coverage, coupled with his inconsistency in contributing to stopping the run, should almost assuredly take him off the Bears' draft board.
Pritchett has an alluring base to work with, and his skill set as a press corner should make him an intriguing prospect to several teams. Still, he must gain aggressiveness (and eagerness) in run support to compensate for his zone coverage shortcomings.
In the three games I charted (2020 Alabama, 2023 UGA, 2023 Ole Miss), there were numerous occasions where Pritchett was wiped out of a run play by a wide receiver's block or exhibited an unwillingness to wrap up and tackle. With stopping the run of such importance for Matt Eberflus, Pritchett would struggle to find playing time with the Bears.
Pro Comp: Greg Newsome
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