Daviyon

Nixon

This loss does hurt a bit for the Panthers, who had used him as a rotational defensive tackle and had elevated him near the 30% snap threshold in Week 7. The fifth-round rookie finishes the year with half a sack and a 75.8 PFF pass rush grade.

He’s the second drafted rookie to put pen to paper with Carolina, following in the footsteps of RB Chuba Hubbard. Nixon (6'3/313) really established himself as a top flight defensive tackle in 2020, being named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and a consensus All-American. An active player who likes to use his quick burst and agility to keep blockers off balance, Nixon employs a “euro-step” move when rushing the passer that calls back to his basketball background. He wins with speed and subtlety in the pass rush game as opposed to brute strength. Nixon excelled at his pro day, running a 4.90 40-yard dash and posting a 8.40 RAS. He’ll help replace Kawann Short on the inside of the Panthers’ defense.

Nixon (6'3/313) made his way to the Hawkeyes by way of Iowa Western Junior College where he JUCO transferred from as a three-star recruit. The Kenosha, WI native redshirted in 2018 before showing promise in 2019 by posting 21 pressures, 3.0 sacks and a 76.9 defensive rating according to PFF. It was 2020 when Nixon really established himself as a top flight defensive tackle, being named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and a consensus All-American. An active player who likes to use his quick burst and agility to keep blockers off balance, Nixon employs a “euro-step” move when rushing the passer that calls back to his basketball background. He wins with speed and subtlety in the pass rush game as opposed to brute strength. Nixon excelled at his pro day, running a 4.90 40-yard dash and posting a 8.40 RAS. He’ll help replace Kawann Short on the inside of the Panthers’ defense.