Houston Texans: 5 small school prospects to monitor at the NFL Combine
By Avery Duncan
Nasir Adderley, DB, Delaware
2018 stats: 8 games, 48 total tackles, 9 pass deflections, 4 interceptions
The first thing to know about Nasir Adderley is, much like Minkah Fitzpatrick in 2018, he doesn’t yet have a concrete position in the secondary, and that’s not a bad thing.
You want to put him at safety? Great, he can do that, but just know he has a solid build (5-11, 200 pounds), and the range to be anywhere in a flash. He should also test well at the combine in 40-yard dash, and that shows on the field.
Adderley isn’t afraid to hit hard and has a knack for finding the ball in the air. It doesn’t matter if you want him as a box safety or free safety, because he has the skill set to do both.
What about Adderley playing cornerback? You’ll be happy to know that his zone coverage skills translate well over there. He’s a lengthy guy, with the agility, speed and loose hips to mirror top-notch wide receivers either in the slot or the boundary.
Unfortunately, Delaware used him sparingly in man coverage, meaning the translation to being a man coverage cornerback could take awhile. Adderley certainly has the traits, build, instincts and athleticism to play cornerback as well.
By now you can tell the key word while defining Adderley is versatility. He is a playmaker with the potential to be a star at multiple positions in the secondary. For the Houston Texans, adding a playmaker of Adderley’s level alongside sophomore safety Justin Reid sounds like a good start to rebuilding a secondary.
Round projection: 1st round