Big Nickel Package Emerging As NFL's Hottest Defensive Trend

Skip to main content Advertising

Analysis

Big nickel package emerging as NFL's hottest defensive trend Published: Aug 08, 2014 at 07:51 AM

Bucky Brooks

NFL.com Analyst

• Copied!

The best defensive coordinators in the NFL are willing to step outside of the box to develop effective strategies for defending the hottest offensive trends. From crafting exotic zone-blitz schemes to using a variety of unique personnel packages to neutralize the opponent's No. 1 weapon, astute defensive play-callers aren't afraid to deploy unorthodox tactics to put their teams in the best position to win.

During my time as a defensive back with the Green Bay Packers, I had the opportunity to watch defensive coordinator Fritz Shurmur work his magic on the blackboard each week, designing clever schemes to slow down the opponent. One of the ideas that he used to help the Packers field the NFL's top-ranked defense in 1996 was a unique nickel defense that featured three safeties (Eugene Robinson, Mike Prior and LeRoy Butler) on the field simultaneously. Although it wasn't unusual to use five defensive backs on obvious passing downs, Shurmur's willingness to play Butler -- Green Bay's starting strong safety -- as a nickel back allowed him to deploy his best defensive back in coverage on tight ends and slot receivers, while also using him on blitzes off the edge. The strategy helped the '96 Packers hold opponents to just 13.1 points per game and total 26 interceptions against only 12 touchdown passes allowed.

Fast forward to 2014. Defensive coordinators searching for effective solutions against the spread-formation run game and the hybrid tight ends dominating the NFL are resorting to big nickel tactics that mimic Shurmur's ingenious scheme from the mid-'90s. From Perry Fewell using the package to help the New York Giants match up against their NFC East rivals, to Rob Ryan unveiling a three-safety defense to take advantage of burgeoning superstar Kenny Vaccaro, the big nickel package is en vogue and will be a major part of defensive game plans this fall.

Given some time to reflect on what I know about the scheme and what I've gleaned from studying the All-22 Coaches Film from the 2013 season, here are a few thoughts on one of the hottest defensive trends heading into the new season:

What is the big nickel package?

Every team in the NFL utilizes a traditional nickel package (five defensive backs instead of the four featured in base defenses) as a way to better defend against the pass. Typically, an extra corner will come on to replace a linebacker and will align in the slot to match up with a receiver or tight end.

In a big nickel package, the defensive coordinator will instead bring on an extra safety who acts as a hybrid linebacker/cornerback. While the nickel safety is also assigned to cover tight ends and receivers in the slot, he is a more effective run defender and possesses the size, strength and length to match up with the league's increasing number of big-bodied, pass-catching tight ends. Thus, the coordinator has a better option for defending opponents who prefer to play "12" personnel (one running back, two tight ends and two wide receivers) as their primary offense. See examples below:

From a schematic perspective, the use of big nickel allows defensive coordinators to add a variety of wrinkles to their exotic sub-package schemes. Teams will use the traditional 4-2-5 (four defensive linemen, two linebackers and five defensive backs) or 3-3-5 alignments and personnel packages, while also mixing in some 2-4-5 and 1-5-5 tactics to befuddle quarterbacks at the line of scrimmage.

In the screengrab below, the Giants are aligned in a 4-2-5 version of their big nickel to match up with the Philadelphia Eagles' double tight end package:

The New Orleans Saints used a similar 4-2-5 big nickel package against the Dolphins to handle Miami's empty formation. Vaccaro is aligned as the nickel back with the deep safeties (not pictured) positioned in a two-deep shell off the screen:

Next, the Kansas City Chiefs are aligned in a 2-4-5 nickel defense with safety Eric Berry dropping down over the Y (tight end):

And finally, the Arizona Cardinals are technically in a dime defense with a 2-3-6 front, but I wanted to illustrate how the clever utilization of safety Tyrann Mathieu (red box) over the slot in an exotic front clouds the picture for the quarterback, which leads to a sack:

With three safeties on the field, it becomes tougher for the quarterback to identify potential rushers from the second level. The constant movement and deking creates confusion at the line of scrimmage, leading to blown protection calls and misreads in the passing game. The big nickel package is also effective against the run, due to the presence of better athletes near the line of scrimmage. The overall speed and quickness of the defense improves with more defensive backs on the field, and safeties -- more so than most cornerbacks -- are comfortable playing in the box and taking on blockers due to their role in eight-man fronts on early (running) downs. As a result, this defensive package is more effective overall against certain formations, making it a worthwhile gamble for defensive coordinators.

Why are more teams expected to play big nickel this season?

The pass-centric nature of the NFL is leading more defensive coordinators to put their best 11 athletes on the field. Thus, teams are removing a lumbering linebacker (middle linebacker) and replacing him with a dynamic safety who is effective against the run, but a better defender in coverage.

Looking at some of the most-explosive offenses in football, the presence of a dominant hybrid tight end is critical to their success. Teams like the Denver Broncos (Julius Thomas), New England Patriots (Rob Gronkowski), Eagles (Brent Celek and Zach Ertz) and Saints (Jimmy Graham) feature versatile, big-bodied athletes at Y (tight end) or H (H-back/"move" tight end) in spread and empty formations, creating a list of problems for the defense.

Allow me to provide a few examples of how crafty offensive coordinators are positioning these dynamic pass-catchers ...

In the following screengrab, the Saints are in a traditional spread formation with the Y (Graham) in the No. 3 position. This is the easiest alignment for defensive coordinators to handle with nickel personnel:

In this next play, the Saints are aligned in a 2x2 spread formation with Graham (Y) positioned on the outside. Placing him on the outside allows quarterback Drew Brees to quickly determine whether the defense is playing man-to-man or zone coverage by identifying which defender matches up with Graham:

Notice below how the Patriots have a linebacker covering Thomas on the outside. This is an obvious mismatch in the Broncos' favor, which is why Denver features so many spread formations with the "Y" on the perimeter:

Lastly, in the next screengrab, the Patriots are aligned in an empty formation with Gronkowski positioned in the slot. The outside receiver motions into a stack alignment, which forces the defense to loosen coverage on Gronkowski to better defend against pick or rub routes. Similar to the Graham play above, the stack alignment forces the defense to declare whether they are in man or zone-based coverage:

Given the challenges of defending hybrid tight ends, defensive coordinators are better served pitting an athletic safety with corner-like cover skills against a big-bodied pass catcher. Safeties are quick enough to run with these types of tight ends down the seam, while also possessing the athleticism to battle on post-ups and 50-50 balls in the red zone.

Most importantly, the presence of a hybrid safety on the field gives a defensive coordinator the freedom to use man or zone coverage without tipping his hand prior to the snap, which is a huge win for the defense.

What are the core characteristics of a hybrid safety?

The ideal hybrid safety for this package is a hard-hitting defender with corner-like cover skills. He needs to possess the agility and quickness to shadow slot receivers, while also displaying the strength to battle big-bodied tight ends between the hashes. It's not a coincidence that many of the top hybrid safeties played cornerback in college or early in their pro careers before transitioning to safety.

Who are some of the ideal big nickel safeties in the league?

I recently ranked the most dynamic safeties in the NFL, and, as one might expect, many of those defenders possess the unique skill set to play the big nickel position.

After revisiting that list, I believe Aaron Williams, Tyrann Mathieu, Kenny Vaccaro, Antrel Rolle and Eric Berry are ideal candidates to perform as designated playmakers in big nickel schemes. They all have terrific coverage skills, as well as the instincts, toughness and awareness to be factors against the run. In addition, they are effective pass rushers capable of blitzing from the second level.

The recent run on hybrid safeties early in the draft points toward the increased importance of the position. Teams recognize the value in having a versatile nickel defender on the roster to play a variety of roles in sub-packages. Rookie safeties like Lamarcus Joyner, Jimmie Ward and Terrence Brooks were drafted specifically to play as nickel defenders; don't be surprised if their respective teams deploy more big nickel packages this season.

Final Thoughts

Although teams routinely have attempted to use the traditional nickel package to slow down the basketball-like athletes thriving between the hashes, the size disparity between tight ends and slot cornerbacks has given the offense a significant advantage in the passing game. Thus, defensive coordinators increasingly will rely on three-safety defenses in order to pit long, rangy defenders over the slot.

Additionally, placing safeties near the box has helped defenses slow down the shotgun running game that teams like the Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills featured with outstanding success last season. With spread and empty-back sets becoming a mainstay of numerous offenses, expect to see defenses turn to their big nickel packages more often this fall.

Follow Bucky Brooks on Twitter @BuckyBrooks.

This article has been reproduced in a new format and may be missing content or contain faulty links. Please use the Contact Us link in our site footer to report an issue.

Related Content

news

2026 draft: Ten debate-worthy prospects to track at the NFL combine

With the NFL combine around the corner, Bucky Brooks dissects 10 prospects who are sure to inspire debate heading into the 2026 draft.

news

Gennaro Filice 2026 NFL mock draft 1.0: Jeremiyah Love cracks top five; Chiefs take WR Jordyn Tyson

In his first mock of the 2026 NFL Draft, Gennaro Filice defies "positional value," predicting a running back, linebacker and safety come off the board in the top 10. Check out his full first-round projection, 1-32.

news

Seven biggest NFL draft takeaways from Daniel Jeremiah's pre-combine conference call

Should the Jets look to trade for a QB instead of drafting one this year? Which prospect has the most to gain between now and draft day? Dan Parr provides seven pieces of intel from NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah's pre-NFL Scouting Combine conference call.

news

Charles Davis 2026 NFL mock draft 1.0: Jeremiyah Love slides; 49ers pluck TE

In his first mock of the 2026 NFL Draft, Charles Davis projects a surprising slide for one of the top talents in the class. Check out his full first-round projection, 1-32.

news

The coverage that turned the Seahawks into Super Bowl winners -- and is taking the NFL by storm

How did the Seahawks dominate Super Bowl LX? Next Gen Stats research analyst James Reber digs into Seattle's favorite coverage -- which is taking the NFL by storm.

news

NFL free agency: Eight players who could be misvalued in 2026

With the start of free agency just around the corner, Kevin Patra spotlights eight players who could be overpriced/underpriced on the open market. On which side does Packers backup QB Malik Willis fall?

news

2026 NFL franchise tag primer: Candidates to watch while window is open

With NFL free agency just around the corner, Judy Battista spotlights seven notable candidates for the franchise tag before the 2026 deadline. Will the Colts retain quarterback Daniel Jones or let him test the open market?

news

2026 NFL free agency: Free agents, notable departures for all 32 teams

NFL.com provides a team-by-team breakdown of all the notable NFL players who have already been released/traded since the start of the 2026 offseason or will become free agents when the new league year begins in March.

news

Daniel Jeremiah 2026 NFL mock draft 2.0: Giants one of six teams to pick WR; Chiefs go RB

In his second mock of the 2026 NFL Draft, Daniel Jeremiah forecasts the Giants to kick off a receiver run that goes six deep in the first 32 picks. Check out the full Round 1 projection.

news

2026 NFL free agency: Kirk Cousins, Alvin Kamara among notable NFC cut candidates

With 2026 NFL free agency less than a month away, NFL teams will be looking to clear cap space in the coming weeks. So, which notable players could be released? Matt Okada spotlights potential cut candidates across the NFC.

news

2026 NFL free agency: Tua Tagovailoa, Geno Smith among notable AFC cut candidates

Matt Okada examines 18 possible candidates to be released from AFC teams as plans come into focus for the 2026 NFL season, including a pair of veteran quarterbacks and a trio of Tennessee Titans.

news

2026 NFL offseason resource rankings: How do all 32 teams stack up by salary cap space and draft capital?

Now that we've officially entered the NFL offseason, which teams have the most cap space/draft capital? Zak Koeppel provides resource rankings, 1-32. Where do the Steelers slot in as they begin the Mike McCarthy era in Pittsburgh?

Big left arrow icon Big right arrow icon Close icon Copy Url Three dots icon Down arrow icon Email icon Email icon Exit Fullscreen icon External link icon Facebook logo Football icon Facebook logo Instagram logo Snapchat logo YouTube logo TikTok logo Spotify logo LinkedIn logo Grid icon Key icon Left arrow icon Link icon Location icon Mail icon Menu icon Open icon Phone icon Play icon Radio icon Rewind icon Right arrow icon Search icon Select icon Selected icon TV icon Up arrow icon User icon Audio icon Add to calendar iconNFC icon AFC icon NFL icon Carousel IconList ViewWebsite InstagramTwitterFacebookSnapchatShop IconProfile Overlay AvatarAddAirplayArrow LeftArrow RightArrow UpArrow DownAudioBack 5sBack 10sBack 30sCalendarChartCheckDownLeftRightUpChromecast OffChromecast OnCloseClosed CaptionsBench OffBench OnBroad OffBroad OnVertical OffVertical OnCommentDockDoneDownloadDraftFantasyFilterForward 5sForward 10sForward 30sFull Screen OffFull Screen OnGamepassGamesInsightsKeyLeaveLiveCombineDraftFantasyMenu GamesMenu NetworkMenu NewsMenu PlayoffsMenu Pro BowlMenu ShopMenu StandingsMenu StatsMenu Super BowlMenu TeamsMenu TicketsMenuMore HorizontalMore VerticalMy LocationNetworkNewsPauseplayMultiple PlayersSingle PlayerPlaylistPlayoffsPro BowlPurgeRefreshRemoveSearchSettingsShare AndroidShare Copy URLShare EmailShare FacebookShare InstagramShare iOSShare SnapchatShare TwitterSkip NextSkip PreviousStandingsStarStatsSwapTeamsTicketsVideoVisibility OffVisibility OnVolume HiVolume LowVolume MediumVolume MuteWarningWebsite Caret downCaret upAtNewsPlayAudioGalleryPromo Chevron right The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Got it!