6. Nigel Warrior, S
If the NFL just drafted players purely on physical looks and talent alone, then Nigel Warrior would be at worst a mid-round draft selection after his senior season. Unfortunately for him, though, NFL teams want safeties who can understand playbooks and digest defensive schemes, and that’s been where Warrior has struggled.
Warrior has shown plenty of potential during his time at Tennessee, and he’s never struggled laying down a big hit or stopping running backs. The issues with him have been with consistency, hanging on to interceptions, and the mental aspect of the game.
The former four-star prospect can certainly improve in all those areas, and Tennessee’s current staff seems equipped more than the previous one to help Warrior when it comes to understanding the game. If he can take steps in those areas, then Warrior will almost certainly find himself a home in the NFL and get drafted in the mid-to-late rounds of the 2020 draft.
As a junior last season, Warrior played in all 12 games and totaled 64 tackles, a tackle for loss, and a pass defended. He also returned a kick-off 41 yards, flashing that same return ability he showed when he returned an interception 70 yards for a score as a sophomore in 2017.
There’s plenty of potential there for Warrior, but he just has to focus and take that next step as a senior. If he can, then that should be enough to get himself drafted next year.
