A brand new collection to get you prepared for boot camp. Whereas a lot of our consideration and all of the headlines will probably be on the large guys – QB Kenny Pickett’s leap, what OT Broderick Jones seems like and new defensive starters like CB Patrick Peterson – summer season is the proper time to take a look at that darling coaching camp. Very similar to RB Jaylen Warren was that man final season, we’re highlighting potential sleepers who may push for a roster spot within the newest cuts.
CAMP SLEEPER: DL James Nyamwaya
There is no doubt that Nyamwaya is making an enormous leap into the NFL. That is true for any freshman out of faculty. However Nyamwaya performed at small faculties, D-III Curry Faculty, earlier than shifting to FCS-level Merrimack Warriors for the 2022 season.
His output did not look overwhelming: 6.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. It is often a crimson flag for the little college guys who ought to dominate, however he is seen a whole lot of consideration from opposing offenses. He additionally performed up the nostril and over the center, making it tougher to see one-on-one matchups that might have gotten him greater numbers.
Nyamwaya is a sleeper for 2 causes. First, the Steelers’ lack of splendid depth alongside the line of defense. They’re good on the nostril sort out, however the defensive finish seems mild behind Cam Heyward and Larry Ogunjobi. DeMarvin Leal’s function and match is questionable, Isaiahh Loudermilk is a restricted bubble participant and Chris Wormley stays a free agent rehabilitating his torn ACL. Nyamwaya is the scale to play three and 4 strategies, weighing 6-foot-4 and 294 kilos with 34 1/4-inch arms. That is the body of a typical Steelers lineman.
He’s additionally an athlete. On his Professional Day, he ran 5.08 with a 1.75 swerve for 10 yards whereas attaining a large leap of 9’3″ and a vertical of 35 inches, a really jaw-dropping quantity. Based mostly on the out there knowledge, it has an RAS rating of seven.08, a strong quantity.
In our post-signing profile, Jonathan Heitritter shared the same evaluation of Nyamwaya’s sport:
“James Nyamwaya is an intriguing UDFA signing as a result of he is nonetheless very uncooked in the case of utilizing the hand, taking part in with constant pad degree and operating counters, however he has the measurables, athleticism and motor that you would be able to’t train. It outlines precisely what the workforce is on the lookout for in its base 3-4 DE and has the passing chops to justify being thought-about a improvement piece that solely scratches the floor.
Given his youth and his lead within the NFL, the observe squad makes probably the most sense for Nyamwaya. He could not know precisely what he’s doing his first camp. However there are sufficient instruments and strokes, in addition to the scale, that ought to enable it to make a number of video games. Mix that with some high quality teaching from place coach Karl Dunbar and Nyamwaya is a reputation I will probably be watching. Even when I am the one one.
