Lew

Nichols

Ngata and many others spent the 2023 season on the Eagles’ practice squad, so the team will keep them around for the offseason. The 6'3" Ngata was a five-star recruit when he committed to Clemson, but he has never quite been able to build on that early-career hype. He’ll have another offseason to try and figure it out. The other 19 players signed to reserve/future deals were: DT Thomas Booker, T Le’Raven Clark, WR Shaquan Davis, DT Noah Elliss, DB Mekhi Garner, DB Mario Goodrich, WR Jacob Harris, WR Griffin Hebert, DE Tarron Jackson, TE E.J. Jenkins, LB Terrell Lewis, DB Tristin McCollum, DB Tiawan Mullen, RB Lew Nichols, G Jason Poe, LB Brandon Smith, C Lecitus Smith, T Brett Toth, and WR Austin Watkins.

Nichols (5’10/222) didn’t earn a Combine invite and only participated in the bench press and vertical at CMU’s pro day. After breaking out with a 341-1,848-16 rushing line in 2021, Nichols’ production dropped to a disappointing 177-601-6 (3.4 YPC) last season – in part due to injury. While he has ideal size for an early-down back, Nichols lacks breakaway speed and is average at best in gaining yards after contact. Far from an elite pass-catcher, Nichols did total 70 receptions for 557 yards in his career but will lose work to better pass-catchers in Green Bay. Nichols’ ability to grind out the tough yards could be enough to earn him a few eventual carries if he makes the 53-man roster, but he doesn’t profile as a big part of the Pack’s future plans.