Nathan Pickering
Nathan Pickering  DT  Mississippi State | NFL Draft 2024 Souting Report - Portrait Image
Nathan Pickering
Height
6-2
Weight
300
College
Mississippi State
Position
DT
Class
Senior
Home town
Mount Olive, MS
61.8
Player Rating
58
PositionRank (DL)
5
FortyYD Time
Sacks
2
Fumbles Forced
Tackles
44
Sol tackles
17

Nathan Pickering DT Mississippi State | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Nathan Pickering DT Mississippi State
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

SUB-POSITION: NT/DT
Last Updated: 04/21/2024
Draft Year: 2024
40 time: 5.00 seconds (73%*)
Bowl Invite: Shrine Bowl
Measurables:
Height: 6-2 (23%*) Weight: 300 (35%*)
Hands: 10 1/8 (60%*) Arm: 33 1/8 (49%*) Span: 81 (70%*)
Forty: 5.00 (O) (73%*) Shuttle: 4.49 (HS) (59%*)
Vertical: 28.5 (HS) (27%*)
0% 100%
(C) - NFL Combine (P) - Pro Day (O) - Other (HS) -Estimated from High School Combine
For an explanation of how the (HS) data is calculated see this article
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SUB-POSITION: NT/DT
Last Updated: 04/21/2024
Draft Year: 2024
40 time: 5.00 seconds (73%*)
Bowl Invite: Shrine Bowl
Measurables:
0% 100%
Height: 6-2 (23%*) Weight: 300 (35%*)
Hands: 10 1/8 (60%*) Arm: 33 1/8 (49%*)
Span: 81 (70%*)
Forty: 5.00 (O) (73%*) Shuttle: 4.49 (HS) (59%*)
Vertical: 28.5 (HS) (27%*)
(C) - NFL Combine (P) - Pro Day (O) - Other
(HS) -Estimated from High School Combine
For an explanation of how the (HS) data is calculated see this article
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
Overall Rating: 61.8 / 100
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Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced
Offense Rating:
81%
Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects.
Tackling:
73%
Pass Rush:
62%
Run Defense:
74%
DRAFT PROJECTION: UDFA
Overall Rank: #371 Position rank: #58
College Games: 50 College Snaps: 1697
Grade: 4 ESPN  Stars 4 ESPN  Stars ESPN RATING: 84/100
College Combine Results
OVR Rank: #38 Pos Rank: #10 State Rank: #4
College Combine Results
Grade: 247 Sports 4  Stars 247 Sports 96.75 Stars 247 RATING: 96.75/100
Ovr Rank: #64 Pos Rank: #6
Grade: 4 Stars 4 Stars RIVALS RATING: 5.9 (97%)
Player Comparison* (Similarity level)
Corey Bethley - TCU
81%
Jay Tufele - USC
78%
C.J. Brewer - Coastal Carolina
72%
Draft Profile: Bio
Nathan Pickering from Seminary Attendance Center High School was rated a 4-star recruit by ESPN and handed a 4-star grade by 247 Sports. After high school, Pickering joined Mississippi State after being heavily recruited.

In 2019 as a freshman Pickering saw action in 9 games and played a total of 208 snaps for the Bulldogs. He recorded only 4 tackles, no assists, while adding 6 stops. As a pass rusher, he added 6 total pressures, which included 2 QB hurries, one QB hit, and 3 sacks on the season.

As a sophomore for the Bulldogs in 2020 Pickering played in 5 games and took part in 134 snaps for the Bulldogs. He recorded only 5 tackles, 6 assists, while adding 6 stops. As a pass rusher, he chalked up 7 total pressures, and 2 QB hurries, 2 QB hits, and 3 sacks during the year.

In 2021 as a junior Pickering played in 13 games and contributed on 364 snaps. He recorded 17 tackles, 8 assists while making 17 stops. As a pass rusher, he produced 20 total pressures, which included 14 QB hurries, 2 QB hits, and 4 sacks on the year.

In 2022 as a senior Pickering logged playing time in 11 games and logged a total of 457 snaps for the Bulldogs. He also added 17 tackles, 7 assists, and 16 stops. As a pass rusher, he tallied 11 total pressures, which included 8 QB hurries, one QB hit, and 2 sacks on the season.

In 2023 as a fifth year senior Pickering logged playing time in 12 games and logged a total of 534 snaps for the Bulldogs. He also added 28 tackles, 11 assists, and 26 stops. As a pass rusher, he tallied 17 total pressures, which included 11 QB hurries, 4 QB hits, and 2 sacks on the season.
Scouting Report: Strengths
  • His hand use is excellent; he’s strong in the upper body and consistently swats away blockers.
  • Average quickness and power and his bull rush will be stonewalled. Comes off the snap high, losing leverage.
  • Pickering has an impressive blend of length and movement skills, capable of dominating shorter interior blockers as a penetrator and showing lateral agility in addition to speed in pursuit.
  • More of a hustling pass rusher than an accomplished or natural one, he'll make his mark as a fifth or sixth defensive lineman.
  • His motor is excellent, and he’s quick to locate the ball and make plays against the run.
  • Rarely goes to the ground, showing good balance from his high school wrestling days.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
  • While Pickering has violent hands, he uses them too inconsistently. Pickering tends to let blockers get into his chest, and he’ll waste time hand fighting due to a limited array of pass rush moves.
  • He’s stiff as an athlete, as he lacks the flexibility to truly threaten the edge.
  • Sees the ball well but is stuck on blocks when head-up; does not shed to make plays often enough.

Nathan Pickering percentiles vs other Defensive Tackles (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)

How other scouting services rate Nathan Pickering (Overall Rank)

All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
413.5
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
75.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance. For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.

*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.