Rob Ninkovich

Rob Ninkovich

40-Year-Old Defensive EndDE
 Free Agent  
2023 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Rob Ninkovich in 2023. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
$Signed a two-year contract extension in September of 2011.
Expected to retire
DENew England Patriots
July 30, 2017
Ninkovich announced his retirement Sunday, the Patriots' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
The 33-year-old defensive end/outside linebacker was selected by the Saints in the fifth round of the 2006 draft, but he bounced around the league until catching on with the Patriots as a part-time player in 2009. He then played 16 games each year from 2010 to 2015, averaging 66.5 tackles and 6.8 sacks per season while winning two Super Bowls along the way. Ninkovich dropped off to 32 tackles and four sacks in 12 games last year, following a four-game suspension PED suspension to start the season. His retirement should free up more snaps for offseason acquisitions Kony Ealy and Lawrence Guy, though neither projects as a direct replacement.
Read More News
NFL Stats
Loading NFL Stats...
2016
2016 NFL Game Log
Calculate Stats Over Time
Just click on any two dates.
Loading Game Log...
2023 Rob Ninkovich Split Stats
Loading NFL Split Stats...
Measurables Review
How do Rob Ninkovich's measurables compare to other defensive ends?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
Height
6' 2"
 
Weight
260 lbs
 
40-Yard Dash
4.91 sec
 
Shuttle Time
4.18 sec
 
Cone Drill
6.96 sec
 
Vertical Jump
34.5 in
 
Broad Jump
116 in
 
Bench Press
23 reps
 
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
Ninkovich missed four games to start the 2016 season after testing positive for a banned substance. Upon his return, the versatile defender re-established a degree of IDP utility in deeper formats, by logging 32 tackles and four sacks over the course of 12 contests. The 33-year-old no longer fills the stat sheet at the pace he did earlier in his career, but he remains a useful edge defender for the Patriots.
Ninkovich saw his snap count drop from 1,021 in 2014 to 891 last year, but he could push for a four-digit play count again in 2016 now that Chandler Jones is in Arizona. If that occurs, DL1 status would almost certainly await him. The versatile 12-year veteran is one of Bill Belichick's most trusted henchmen, starting 16 games in each of the last five years and standing out as one of the top defensive line IDPs all the while. His age is a concern for his per-snap production, but tackles always came easy to Ninkovich, and Jones' departure should ensure a leading role on the line.
Always one of the league's busiest and most durable players, Ninkovich logged more than 1,000 snaps for the second time in three years last season in his fifth consecutive 16-game campaign. It was also his third straight season with eight sacks. Now 31, Ninkovich could see his workload scaled back this year, especially with Jerod Mayo, Chandler Jones and Dominique Easley expected at full strength after missing time last year to injuries. The arrival of DE Jabaal Sheard for depth is another concern. The closer Ninkovich gets to 1,000 snaps, the more of a fantasy steal he will be.
Ninkovich is New England's most experienced and reliable edge defender, providing end looks in the 4-3 while adding linebacker versatility in 3-4 fronts. That means he rarely leaves the field, and when he's on the field he is New England's best threat to find ballcarriers. He finished the 2013 season with 91 tackles and eight sacks – elite numbers by any standard – although the tackle tally was inflated by an improbable 49 assists. That assist total will likely dip in 2014, especially with the addition of first-round DT/DE Dominique Easley, but Ninkovich should still retain DL1 value in some formats. That's especially true if DE Chandler Jones should suffer an injury – the Patriots remain rather thin at the end position. Jones has only stayed healthy in one of the last three years, while Ninkovich hasn't missed a game since 2009.
The addition of second-round pick and pass rusher Jamie Collins is a concern for Ninkovich, but Collins could still be a year away from eating into Ninkovich's snap count, especially on first and second downs. Ninkovich has carved out a nice role as a DE/LB tweener with the Patriots, posting 131 tackles and 14.5 sacks the last two years. Expect more of the same with the more dynamic Collins likely serving as injury insurance for Chandler Jones in Year 1.
The versatile Ninkovich is listed as a linebacker by the Patriots' PR department, but he has a good shot to end up starting at left defensive end for the team. He racked up 74 tackles and 6.5 sacks last season, so there sneaky IDP value to be had here if he ends up with DL eligibility.
Quietly racked up 62 tackles, four sacks and two picks last season. He'll remain in the Pats' strong-side linebacker mix and is worth a look in deeper leagues.
In the Patriots' outside linebacker mix, Ninkovich should easily eclipse his 2009 total of 23 tackles if he can carve out a steady role.
More Fantasy News
Logs 32 tackles in 12 games
DENew England Patriots
February 2, 2017
Ninkovich finished the 2016 regular season with 32 tackles and four sacks over the course of 12 games.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Records four tackles Sunday
DENew England Patriots
October 17, 2016
Ninkovich was on the field for 46 of 68 defensive snaps in Sunday's 35-17 win over the Bengals, ESPN's Mike Reiss reports.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Eased back in
DENew England Patriots
October 10, 2016
Ninkovich was on the field for 24 of the Patriots' 63 snaps on defense in Sunday's 33-13 win over the Browns, ESPN's Mike Reiss reports.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Back in business
DENew England Patriots
October 9, 2016
The Patriots officially activated Ninkovich from the suspended list in advance of Sunday's game against the Browns, the Boston Herald reports.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Back on the field
DENew England Patriots
Triceps
October 6, 2016
Ninkovich has returned to practice after serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing drug policy, the Boston Herald reports.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.