Rookie Spotlight: Nick Nash, WR San Jose State

Height: 6-2 (Shrine Bowl)
Weight: 198 lbs (Shrine Bowl)
Hands: 8 ¾” (Shrine Bowl)
Arm: 31 ½” (Shrine Bowl)
40 yard dash: 4.50 (projected)
2025 Age: 25
NFL Comparison: Xavier Hutchinson, Drake London, Tyler Boyd
Other RW Staff Comps: Tyler Johnson, Eric Decker
Breakout Age: 23 (RS SR)

Pros
– High football IQ (former QB)
– Unanimous Consensus NCAA All-American (2024)
– Biletnikoff Finalist (2024)
– 2024 First-Team All-American (AP, FWAA, Sporting News, CBS, Walter Camp, PFF, Phil Steele, AFCA)
– Uber-productive: Led FBS in receptions, receiving TDs and receiving yards (2024)
– Excellent timing when catching the ball
– High points the ball
– Elite body control
– Stretches the field
– Sticky hands
– Imposing frame
– Decent long speed
– Finds holes in coverage well

Cons
– Came to the position late
– Old for a rookie; played in college for 6 years
– Route mechanics need work
– Didn’t face much press in the slot, played there almost exclusively (94%)
– Small hands
– Not the best competition

HIGHLIGHTS:

Fantasy Outlook:
If there’s one receiver who improved his draft stock in my eyes at the Shrine Bowl, it’s Nick Nash. It seemed like every time I looked up he was making an impressive play, the highlight being a slick one-handed basket catch in the end-zone, leaving his defender in the lurch. He’s got relatively small hands, considering his height, but Nash has little trouble bringing in anything thrown his way. A former QB, Nash has an elite football IQ and is able to see the field well in virtually every circumstance. His ability to find his way open is evident in his play, as Nash was 2nd in the nation in FBS in 1st down receptions in 2024. Nash isn’t just a chain mover though. He’s a legitimate deep threat who can catch the ball in stride or go up and bring down a contested ball over his defender. Nash is effective after the catch too, eating up yardage where he can and finishing his runs with strength – He was used primarily as a runner out of the backfield when he first came to San Jose State. Nash’s savvy playing style and on-field acumen makes him a potentially valuable fantasy asset. A big body who can move the chains and break away for big plays can always find a home in the NFL, especially when they have the football mind of Nash. He can use some work as a route runner, he gets tall more often than he should, but Nash can certainly learn his trade in time. Time is of the essence though, as Nash will be 25 this season. Even so, I think he’s going to be a value pick in drafts this season, and I’m planning on stashing him where I can, depending on where he lands.