FILM REVIEW | Nick Gates Impresses in First NFL Start

Despite limited NFL playing experience, second-year pro Nick Gates had a very encouraging showing last Sunday against the Jets in his first NFL start.

Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

The Giants offensive line has certainly struggled in 2019 season, but offensive lineman Nick Gates, who got his first NFL start Sunday against the New York Jets, turned in an impressive performance.

Gates is a 2018 undrafted free agent out of Nebraska who subbed in for the injured Mike Remmers (back) who the Giants signed in 2019 free agency.

Gates had an impressive preseason playing left and right tackle, but we all know that the preseason is nothing like the regular season competition and intensity.

In the game against the Jets, Gates truly impressed me more than any Giants offensive lineman. He had only one mistake, which was a late false start that did push the Giants back on third down.  

And where the Giants have struggled with twists/stunt blocks all season long, Gates proved to be able to handle what the Jets threw at him. 

The key to stopping stunts is keeping your shoulders squared, and not leaning too hard into a pass block while passing off one defender to the linemen next to you. 

These two gifs show Gates' ability to pick up stunts.

Source: NFL Game Pass

Source: NFL Game Pass

Gates also had great technique and hand placement in his pass protection. One of left tackle Nate Solder's biggest problems is that he opens up his hips too early into plays, which gives pass rushers a better lane to the quarterback. 

Gates stays vertical in his kick slides and remains locked onto defenders once he engages the pass rusher.

Source: NFL Game Pass

Gates also showed something that is usually more common in interior linemen like Will Hernandez and Jon Halapio: He has a mean streak that also showed up in the preseason. 

A mean streak might be my favorite trait. You can't teach a guy to want to dominate and embarrass his opponent physically. He finishes guys in run blocks and on pass blocks.

Source: NFL Game Pass

The only issue is that when faced with a bull rush, defenders can push him back at times. 

Gates doesn't let that become a losing battle though like some linemen do. He never loses engagement with the defender. 

His worst play shows that he doesn't lose engagement, but he does get pushed into Daniel Jones, who ends up being sacked.

Source: NFL Game Pass

Source: NFL Game Pass

Overall, I think Gates can play in the NFL. Will he be able to play tackle every week against teams with elite pass rushers, which the Jets don't really have?

I'm not sure about that, but I think he can become a long-time starter at guard or center.