Derrick Nnadi
Current teamIndianapolis Colts
Number92
PositionDefensive tackle
Birth dateMay 9, 1996 (age 30)
Birth placeVirginia Beach, Virginia, U.S.
Height6 ft
Height in1
Weight lb317
High schoolOcean Lakes
CollegeFlorida State (2014–2017)
Draftyear2018
Draftround3
Draftpick75
Pastteams
StatusActive
Highlights
Statseason2025
Statlabel 1Tackles
Statvalue 1249
Statlabel 2Sacks
Statvalue 25.0
Statlabel 3Forced fumbles
Statvalue 31
Statlabel 4Fumble recoveries
Statlabel 5Pass deflections
Statvalue 52
Statlabel 6Interceptions
Statvalue 61
PfrNnadDe00

Derrick Nnadi (born May 9, 1996) is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles.[1][2]

Professional career

On December 9, 2017, it was announced that Nnadi had accepted his invitation to play in the 2018 Senior Bowl.[3] On January 19, 2018, it was reported that he would not be participating in the Senior Bowl due to an unspecified injury.[4] He attended the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis and completed all of the combine and positional drills. His overall performance was described as poor and was a detriment to his draft stock.[5] On March 20, 2018, he participated in Florida State's pro day and chose to perform the short shuttle (4.97s) and vertical jump (25.5"). He attended a private workout with the New York Jets. At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Nnadi was projected to be a third or fourth round pick by NFL draft experts and scouts. He was ranked as the seventh best defensive tackle in the draft by Scouts Inc. and was ranked the 11th best defensive tackle prospect by DraftScout.com.[6][7]

Kansas City Chiefs (first stint)

The Kansas City Chiefs selected Nnadi in the third round with the 75th overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft.[8] The Chiefs traded their third (86th overall) and fourth round (122nd overall) picks to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for the Ravens' third round pick (75th overall) in order to draft Nnadi.[9]

On June 15, 2018, the Kansas City Chiefs signed him to a four-year, $3.74 million contract featuring a signing bonus of $959,400.[10]

In Week 11 of the 2019 season against the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday Night Football, Nnadi recorded his first career interception off Philip Rivers in the 24–17 win.[11] The Chiefs went on to win Super Bowl LIV over the San Francisco 49ers, their first championship in 50 years.[12]

On March 20, 2022, Nnadi re-signed with the Chiefs.[13] He won his second Super Bowl when the Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII.[14]

He re-signed with the Chiefs on March 23, 2023.[15] He won his third Super Bowl when the Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII.[16]

Nnadi re-signed with the Chiefs on March 19, 2024.[17] On July 17, he was placed on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.[18] On August 6, the Chiefs activated Nnadi off of the PUP list.[19]

New York Jets

On March 16, 2025, Nnadi signed with the New York Jets.[20]

Kansas City Chiefs (second stint)

On August 25, 2025, Nnadi was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs with a conditional 2027 seventh-round pick in exchange for a conditional 2027 sixth-round selection, reuniting Nnadi with his former team.[21]

Indianapolis Colts

On March 13, 2026, Nnadi signed a one-year $1,487,500 contract with the Indianapolis Colts.[22][23]

NFL career statistics

Legend
Won the Super Bowl
BoldCareer high

Regular season

YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckTFLSftyPDIntYdsAvgLngTDFFFR
2018KC16113517180.0000000.00000
2019KC16164818301.0301100.00010
2020KC15154723240.0000000.00000
2021KC17103821173.0200000.00000
2022KC17172511140.0100000.00000
2023KC17172916131.0101000.00000
2024KC17111380.0000000.00000
2025KC1511161060.0000000.00000
Career130982491191305.0702100.00010

Postseason

YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckTFLSftyPDIntYdsAvgLngTDFFFR
2018KC228170.0100000.00000
2019KC337430.0100000.00000
2020KC3311380.0000000.00000
2021KC304220.0000000.00000
2022KC333121.0100000.00000
2023KC111010.0000000.00000
2024KC304310.0000000.00000
Career18123814241.0300000.00000

Personal life

Nnadi is of Nigerian descent.[24] He attended Ocean Lakes High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia.[25]

Nnadi has celebrated each Chiefs win during the 2019 season by paying the adoption fee for a dog at a local Kansas City shelter. He celebrated winning Super Bowl LIV by paying the adoption fees for all adoptable dogs at the shelter.[26][27]

References

  1. ^ McGahee III, Wayne (November 17, 2017). "Senior Moment: Derrick Nnadi reflects on his most memorable moment at Florida State". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved February 24, 2019.
  2. ^ McGahee III, Wayne E. (December 21, 2017). "FSU defensive tackle Nnadi 'never thought' about not playing in the bowl game". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
  3. ^ Nee, Chris (December 9, 2017). "FSU defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi invited to 2018 Senior Bowl". 247sports.com. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  4. ^ Sonnone, Brendan (January 19, 2018). "FSU DT Derrick Nnadi will not participate in Senior Bowl". 247sports.com. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  5. ^ Judis, Patrick (April 15, 2018). "NFL Draft 2018: Can Derrick Nnadi overcome poor combine to thrive in pros?". cincyjungle.com. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  6. ^ "Derrick Nnadi, DS #11 DT, Florida State". draftscout.com. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  7. ^ "NFL Derrick Nnadi-ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 23, 2018.[dead link]
  8. ^ Swanson, Kent (April 27, 2018). "Chiefs draft Florida State DT Derrick Nnadi in third round". ArrowheadPride.com. Retrieved June 17, 2018.
  9. ^ Goldman, Charles (April 27, 2018). "Instant analysis: Chiefs trade up in round 3, select Derrick Nnadi". Chiefs Wire. USA Today. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  10. ^ "Spotrac.com: Derrick Nnadi contract". Spotrac.com. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  11. ^ "Mahomes, Chiefs hold off Chargers 24–17 in Mexico City". ESPN. Associated Press. November 18, 2019. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  12. ^ Shook, Nick (February 2, 2020). "Chiefs rally once again to defeat 49ers, win SB LIV". NFL.com. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  13. ^ Sweeney, Pete (March 20, 2022). "Report: Chiefs bringing back Derrick Nnadi on one-year deal". Arrowhead Pride. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  14. ^ "Super Bowl LVII - Philadelphia Eagles vs. Kansas City Chiefs - February 12th, 2023". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  15. ^ Goldman, Charles (March 21, 2023). "Chiefs to re-sign free agent DT Derrick Nnadi". Chiefs Wire. USA Today. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
  16. ^ Maaddi, Rob (February 12, 2024). "Patrick Mahomes rallies the Chiefs to second straight Super Bowl title, 25–22 over 49ers in overtime". AP News. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  17. ^ "Chiefs Re-Sign DT Derrick Nnadi". Chiefs.com. March 19, 2024.
  18. ^ Foote, Jordan (2024-07-17). "Chiefs Announce Slew of Roster, Injury Moves to Begin Training Camp". SI.com. Retrieved 2025-03-09.
  19. ^ "Chiefs' Derrick Nnadi: Activated off PUP list". Cbssports.com. August 6, 2024.
  20. ^ Alper, Josh. "Jets agree to terms with Derrick Nnadi". NBC Sports. Retrieved 17 March 2025.
  21. ^ McMullen, Matt (August 25, 2025). "Chiefs acquire DT Derrick Nnadi in trade with New York". chiefs.com
  22. ^ Stankevitz, JJ. "Colts sign free agent DT Derrick Nnadi". Colts.com. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
  23. ^ Erickson, Joel A. (March 11, 2026). "Colts sign veteran Chiefs DT as depth piece in free agency"
  24. ^ Okupa, Francis (April 23, 2018). "Nigeria dominates Africa's 2018 NFL draftee list". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  25. ^ Winkler, Adam (January 30, 2020). "Virginia Beach's Derrick Nnadi soaking-in Super Bowl experience". WTKR. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  26. ^ Nesbitt, Andy (February 3, 2020). "Chiefs' Derrick Nnadi celebrates Super Bowl win by doing something awesome for over 100 rescue dogs". USA Today. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  27. ^ "Derrick Nnadi pays dog adoption fees after Super Bowl win". BBC News. February 4, 2020. Retrieved March 18, 2021.