From walk-on to Washington, Ben Nikkel saw his NFL hopes come true as he signed with the Commanders following the conclusion of the 2024 NFL Draft.
The defensive back started his collegiate career as a walk-on at Iowa State, where he saw nearly all of his reps on special teams. It was there that he caught the eye of Matt Campbell and the rest of the coaching staff and eventually earned a scholarship ahead of the 2023 season.
During his last season with the Cyclones, Nikkel saw more snaps on defense and was a big part of the Cyclones’ success on that side of the ball. He finished the season with 40 tackles and still made an impact on special teams by finishing second on the team with eight stops.
Nikkel raised his draft stock immensely during the pre-draft process where he tested off the charts at the Big 12’s Pro Day. He ranked near the top in nearly every event he competed in and caught the eye of NFL scouts.
As the NFL Draft wrapped up, only one Cyclone heard their name called, as fellow defensive back T.J. Tampa went to the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round. However, teams continue to fill out their rosters and rookie minicamps after the draft, and Nikkel’s prowess on special teams earned him a spot on the Commanders.
Nikkel could work up to a role in the Commanders’ defensive back room as well, as they struggled last season to wow on defense. The addition of Jeremy Chinn over the offseason bolsters their safety room, but the cornerbacks could still see some improvement.
Along with Nikkel making it to Washington, Easton Dean was invited to the Tennessee Titans’ rookie minicamp. He will have the opportunity to work his way onto the roster if he turns heads.
Dean started his career at Iowa State like most and stuck to special teams. With his success on special teams, he moved up to a starting spot in his last two seasons.
Although the veteran tight end finished his career with 28 catches for 343 yards, he was a red zone machine as he caught five touchdowns, with three being in his final season.
Dean’s size and speed helped him excel in the blocking game as well, which is a valuable skill when transitioning to the next level. Although he still has his work cut out for him, as making a rookie minicamp is still far from making the final roster, it is the first step he needs to take in order to officially reach the next level.
