Buffalo Bills select Nick Broeker in 7th round of 2023 NFL Draft
A stalwart and stud on the Ole Miss offensive line for years, Nick Broeker can be a solid, steady presence on the interior of an NFL offensive line. And that’s exactly the bet the Buffalo Bills are making, taking Broeker with the No. 230 overall pick in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Broeker played in 48 games at Ole Miss and became one of the most consistent and best linemen for the Rebels. He was named to the All-SEC second team, as voted by the coaches. In 2022, he didn’t allow a single sack in 435 pass-blocking snaps in his 13 starts, per PFF. In He earned second team All-American honors from a number of places and was named to the All-SEC second team, as voted by the coaches.
He also won the 2022 Kent Hull Trophy, given annually to the best offensive lineman in the state of Mississippi.
He’s played primarily left tackle (23 starts) and left guard (13 starts).
Broeker came to Ole Miss from the state Illinois, where he played high school football at Sacred Heart Griffin (IL) High School, where he was a three-star prospect. Broeker was the No. 549 player in the 2019 signing class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking.
What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Broeker
While he played a lot of tackle in college, NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein sees Broeker as a guard in the NFL with his shorter arms and lack of athletic upside.
Additionally, while Broeker comes as an almost ready-made run blocker, his work in pass protection will need some improvement, according to Zierlein.
Guard prospect with average size who has the ability to punch above his weight as a run blocker. Broeker is limited as a move blocker but thrives when firing out and running his feet through contact to open lanes. He has very strong hands and consistently works to finish his blocks. His hand usage and inconsistent body control land his pass protection a few notches below his run blocking and those issues will take time to clean up. Broeker is a below-average athlete with above-average play strength and has the talent to become a starting guard in a downhill run scheme,” Zierlein said.
To that end, Zierlein noted that Broeker has a lot of strengths conducive to run blocking. From treating defenders like blocking sleds and driving them away once squared — with the hand power to sustain the blocks — to his second-level blocking, Broeker has a lot of traits and skills to help in the run game.
However, Zierlein highlighted some lack of hand and height discipline against the pass rush. And his underwhelming athleticism will limit how Broeker can be used on the move in blocking schemes.