16 Jun Preseason Scouting Notes: Nyles Pinckney, DL, Clemson
Redshirt Senior | 6’1” 295 lbs | Beaufort, SC | June 5, 1998
An undersized but tough defensive lineman with good block shedding, motor, and hand usage
Overview:
Nyles Pinckney returns to Clemson for one final push at a national title. With a history of good production at the college level, he’s expected to continue that production in his final year. Named to the All-ACC third team in 2019, former #2 prospect in South Carolina looks to improve his draft stock while also helping the Tigers return to the top of the college football world. He spends the majority of his time as a 2i-, 1-, or 0- technique in the A-gaps, but also bumps out to a 3-technique on occasion.
Strengths:
– Seamless block shedding
– Hand placement and hand fighting
– Gets pop with strong initial punch
– Gap disciplined. Does not open up scramble lanes in pass rush
– Max effort, high motor player
– Keeps cut blocks off his legs
– Good, sound tackler who wraps up
Areas To Improve:
– Anchor Strength. Gives up ground in run game
– Needs to improve combatting double teams
– Lacks get off speed and initial explosiveness
– Occasionally plays with a high pad level and gives up leverage
– Doesn’t reset the line of scrimmage very often
– Overall pass rush repertoire is lacking
Injury Concerns:
– Missed 2020 CFP National Championship with broken ankle
Projection:
Pinckney could be a backup piece for an NFL franchise despite his slightly undersized stature. His history of good production against top tier competition works well in his favor. With experience playing all over the defensive interior, Pinckney could fit as an A-gap penetrator in multiple systems, but he will fit better as a 3-technique since he doesn’t have much interior mismatch potential. Pinckney’s sound discipline and understanding of the position could make him worth a late Day 3 pick for teams looking to improve depth on the DL.
What To Watch In 2020:
If Pinckney can keep his production level consistent or improve upon it, he may gain a little more traction in the minds of scouts. He will need to improve his play strength so that he does not give as much ground, and his get off needs to be more explosive. Improving these flaws would allow him to be much more disruptive against both the run and pass. His pass rush plan needs to show improvement, and his move set needs more depth. He understands the subtle aspects of the position, but needs to improve his physical strength to be a true option at the NFL level.
- Played 4 years of college football as a Defensive Tackle and Long Snapper at Division 3 Rhodes College.
- Experience in data collection/analysis/scouting for both Football and Baseball.
- Georgia native and firm believer that Georgia sports teams are cursed.