Nathan Shepherd
Summary
Nathan Shepherd was selected in Round 3 (#72 Overall) of the 2018 Draft out of Fort Hays State University. Shepherd is a big‑bodied interior defensive lineman known for his explosiveness and athleticism coming out of a small school. Scouts praised his first‑step quickness, lateral movement, and raw burst off the snap. However, questions surrounded his technique, pad level, level of competition in college and consistency in disengaging blockers. Over the course of his NFL career (including with the New Orleans Saints), he has developed into a steady contributor in run defense with periodic pass‑rush moments.
Strengths
Explosive first‑step and initial burst off the snap: Ability to close quickly and threaten the back side of run plays. With the First Pick
Superior athletic profile for his size: His Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 9.2 out of 10 reflects elite movement capability and athleticism for a defensive tackle. RAS
Versatility and physical presence: At approximately 6′4″, 315 lbs, he offers the size to play inside and the mobility to threaten as a three‑technique in certain alignments. New Orleans Saints
Strong run‑defender and gap‑control asset: His body type and burst allow him to hold up in the trenches, make tackles near the line of scrimmage, and anchor against the run.
High motor and competitiveness: Film review highlighted his “nasty” attitude, pursuit of the whistle, and willingness to finish plays. With the First Pick
Weaknesses
Raw technique and hand usage: He was criticized for inconsistent use of hands to shed blocks and for getting stacked and controlled by blockers. With the First Pick
Pad level and leverage issues: He tended to play too upright, which made him susceptible to being driven back or knocked off his spot. Bleacher Report
Level of competition and projection concerns: Coming from a Division II program (Fort Hays State), there were questions about how his dominance would translate to NFL‑caliber offensive linemen.
Pass‑rush replication and consistency: While he flashes as a rusher, his production in sacks and consistent penetration was viewed as more developmental rather than immediate. Bleacher Report
Arm length/length concerns: Some draft profiles flagged his shorter arm length compared to some elite interior linemen, which can reduce his ability to control blocks or create separation off blocks.
Fit & Outlook
Nathan Shepherd projects best as an interior defensive lineman in a scheme that asks for gap integrity, strong run defense, and occasional pass‑rush snaps rather than demanding him to be the primary edge‑rusher or elite sack artist. In a front that uses multiple techniques inside, he can play three‑technique or even 1‑technique, depending on scheme, and his athleticism provides flexibility for stunts and twists. With the New Orleans Saints, he’s carved out a role as a rotational yet trusted contributor on the defensive front who can hold up against the run and offer a punch when asked to rush the passer. Looking forward, his baseline is a dependable starter or high‑quality rotational interior defender with solid run‑stop capability. If he continues refining his hand technique, improves his pad level, and increases his consistency in disrupting the pocket, his upside could be more—a multi‑down interior lineman who impacts both run and pass phases. Conversely, if those technique gaps persist and he fails to elevate his pass‑rush productivity, he may settle into a strong rotational or situational role rather than becoming an every‑down dominant interior presence. Overall: a low‑risk pick with a strong foundation and meaningful upside when deployed in the right fit.