STRENGTHS
Nicholas might be the most athletic offensive tackle in this draft. Because of that excellent athleticism, he can play either offensive tackle position at a high level. He shows excellent mental strength and pride in protecting his quarterback. Nicholas might be one of the best offensive linemen I have seen going out to the second level, making his blocks and dominating linebackers in the process. He is excellent at blocking in open space on sweeps and screens. Nicholas fires out when run blocking with the passion needed to dominate. His pure athleticism, football intelligence, and pride are what allow him to pass block at a high level for his college team.
CONCERNS
There are a ton of questions that will need to be answered and none of them can be answered in a workout or an interview. Is he a right tackle or a left tackle? Should he be moved inside? There’s more but nevertheless, Nicholas has too much mental toughness, character, and athletic talent to pass up selecting early in this draft.
BOTTOM LINE: 1.89
It’s very hard for athletic Offensive linemen to trust the techniques of the position over their athletic talent. The shock for those athletic linemen is, that for the first time, their athletic talent will be matched at the next level. If Nicholas doesn’t use good techniques along with his athletic talent, then he will fail to live up to his potential. It’s a trust issue and sometimes the only way to get through to a player like Nicholas is to throw him on the field and let him get beat physically and emotionally until he is ready to use the correct techniques religiously. I remember when the Chiefs selected Eric Fisher as the very 1st pick in that draft. I thought he would go later in the 1st round because, in spite of his athletic talent I thought, he needed time to develop. Eric struggled big time and the only reason the Chiefs stuck with him was that he was such a high pick. Nicholas, selected late in the 1st or early 2nd round by a team willing to give him time to develop should become one of the better, if not the best offensive tackle in this draft. He is very smart and even more athletic than Eric was coming out so, maybe Nicholas won’t take as much time to develop.
