Pats Draft R7/242: WR Tre Nixon

SeoulSoxFan

I Want to Hit the World with Rocket Punch
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Jun 27, 2006
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A Scud Away from Hell
Evan Lazar wasn't excited about this pick, especially with Cade Johnson still on the board.

Nixon missed most of the season in 2020:

UCF receiver Tre Nixon and running back Greg McCrae are entering the 2021 NFL draft, passing on an extra year of eligibility the NCAA granted all athletes due to the coronavirus pandemic. Nixon missed most of this season after dislocating his collarbone in the first half the team's season opener against Georgia Tech Sept. 16. He returned for the Cincinnati game Nov. 21 and played the final three games of the 2020 season. He finished with 19 receptions for 260 yards and two touchdowns. - Orlando Sentinel

From The Draft Network:

Tre Nixon began his college career at Ole Miss where he redshirted in 2016 and caught one pass in 2017 before transferring to UCF. The Ole Miss wide receiver room was incredibly crowded and Nixon had a much clearer path to a role at UCF.

He had a decent season in 2018 and played his best in 2019, where he caught 49 passes for 830 yards with seven touchdowns. In 2020, Nixon dealt with a shoulder injury that was a factor for most of the season and limited the amount of games he was available for.

The best part of Nixon’s game is his speed. He has the ability to take the top off the defense and win down the field. His collegiate success was predicated on vertical push that created the opportunity for him to get behind the secondary or snap off routes to get open underneath.

With that said, he has inconsistent hands and isn’t always clean with his tracking down the field. He ran a very limited route tree at UCF, so there is a considerable curve ahead for him to expand the routes he can run. Nixon is a competitive player but struggles when contact is introduced and he has to be physical. And for a player with his speed, I expected more dynamic skill after the catch. For a team in search of a guy that can stretch the field, Nixon can be that answer, but the rest of his game has to be developed.
A speedster whose 2019 tape played better than 2020:
View: https://youtu.be/ObAxO6MlO-w


Looks like a long-shot to make the team, even without a clear outside x-receiver.
 

The Raccoon

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Ernie Adams made the phone call to Tre, since this was his last pick in his current role for the Patriots.
Edit: Just after posting this vid I see that it is discussed in Ernies own thread. Well, I'll keep it here as well...
 

Ferm Sheller

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I realize he's a 7th round pick and a long-shot to be a consistent, valuable contributor in the NFL, but what's the story on Nixon? Is he hurt? Are they keeping out due to his performances in practice? I can't find any news on this guy.
 

lexrageorge

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I realize he's a 7th round pick and a long-shot to be a consistent, valuable contributor in the NFL, but what's the story on Nixon? Is he hurt? Are they keeping out due to his performances in practice? I can't find any news on this guy.
Jeff Howe had some info on him in The Athletic:

https://theathletic.com/2777971/2021/08/19/jakobi-meyers-nkeal-harry-the-qbs-and-75-things-to-watch-for-the-patriots-against-the-eagles/

The summary is that Nixon has been battling an injury (undisclosed, but I guess we can always ask Bill) and so hasn't seen any real practice time. Howe surmises he is probably headed to the practice squad.