Seventh Round: Packers Draft Central Michigan RB Lew Nichols III

At Central Michigan, Lew Nichols III was the most productive running back in the nation in 2021.

Author:
Bill Huber
Updated:
Apr 29, 2023 6:47 PM EDT
Original:
Apr 29, 2023

In this story:

GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers bolstered their backfield by selecting “The Humble Beast,” Lew Nichols III of Central Michigan, with a seventh-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Nichols, who had a predraft visit with the Packers, joins a formidable one-two punch of Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon. However, there’s no guarantee Jones (contract) and Dillon (free agent) will return for the 2024 season, so this is a forward-thinking pick to keep the cupboard stocked.

“Once I got there, they showed me a lot of love. I’m just excited and blessed and humble and eager to compete,” Nichols said during his Zoom. His position coach at Central Michigan coached Jones, he said, so he is quite familiar with his game.

Nichols had a big-time 2021 season, as he led the nation in rushing yards and all-purpose yards to win MAC Offensive Player of the Year. However, his production fell off sharply in 2022. His yards per carry plunged from 5.4 to 3.5. One reason was CMU’s offensive linemen in 2021 were drafted in 2022.

Here’s more on Nichols, who was one of three backs to have a predraft visit with Green Bay.

Measureables: 5-10, 220 pounds, 9 hands. DNP testing (hamstring)

Stats and accolades: Nichols was the MAC Offensive Player of the Year in 2021, when he led the nation with 1,848 rushing yards and 2,186 total yards, as he added 40 receptions for 338 yards. His encore was a dud. Due in part to a toe injury, he was limited to 616 rushing yards. His average went from 5.4 to 3.5 and his reception count dipped to 21.

Analytical stats: Of 50 running backs in the draft class who had 93 carries, Nichols ranked 45th with 2.39 yards after contact per carry, 30th with 0.65 yards per pass route and next to last with 23 broken/missed tackles. Only three players had more drops than Nichols’ five. Contrast that to 2021, when he averaged 2.79 yards after contact, broke 67 tackles, averaged 1.12 yards per route and had three drops. It’s noteworthy that his loaded-box rate went from 15 percent in 2021 to 27 percent in 2022 and that two CMU linemen were drafted.

How he fits: Nichols is a big man who, at times, has flashed high-quality hands. Consider him a poor man’s AJ Dillon. The Packers brought him in for a predraft visit for obvious reasons.

“My patience, vision, first three steps are explosive, good feet, and soft hands,” he told NFL Draft Diamonds. “My ability to make plays carry after carry. As well as being a natural runner who sets up and reads blocks well. Someone who breaks tackles with a variety of moves including jumps cuts, stiff arms or running through defenders and has a nose for the end zone.”

Personal touch: Nichols has been called “The Humble Beast.” You can get it on a T-shirt.

After his massive 2021, most or all of the SEC tried to poach Nichols from CMU but he did not consider leaving.

"Just being grateful for every opportunity you get when you go out there," Nichols said at MAC Media Days. "Every carry, everything you put on film, just be proud of it. When you turn on that film after the game, you want to be proud of what you put on. And you want to be a reason to say why your team won the game."