Keisean

Nixon

Nixon is the Packers’ top outside corner. He has three pass breakups and one interception this year. His absence would be a big loss for a defense that is only slightly above average in EPA per play and points allowed this year. It would be a particularly big development for George Pickens, who leads the Cowboys in outside receiver routes this year.

He suffered a stinger. Kamal Hadden took over at outside corner for the Packers. Luckily for them, Minnesota doesn’t seem to have any interesting in throwing the football today.

Nixon totaled 80 tackles and one interception for the Packers last season, but he’s been more known for his play on special teams. Nixon has been named a First-team All-Pro in back-to-back seasons for his return efforts and has led the league in kick return yards in both of those seasons. Nixon is now under contract with the Packers through the 2026 season.

In his first year as a returner, Nixon turned in an All-Pro effort, leading the league in kick returns (35) and kick return yards (105). Nixon also appeared on 290 defensive snaps last season, but was a liability in coverage, allowing 22 receptions on 28 targets for 214 yards.

Nixon is a three-year NFL vet who joined the Raiders as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2019. Nixon has appeared in 40 career games throughout his career, with most of his snaps coming on special teams. His signing with the Packers reunites him with former Raiders interim head coach Rich Bisaccia, who is now Green Bay’s special teams coach.

Nixon (5'11/193) was experiencing numbness and soreness during the regular season, with a CAT scan administered after the close of the campaign revealing that he was dealing with a fracture in his neck. Yikes. This injury for all intents and purposes ends the cornerback’s season. He has already accepted an invitation to the East-West Shrine Game as he looks to get his draft process started. Just how healthy he will be for that postseason evaluation bowl remains to be seen. Draft Analyst’s Tony Pauline stamped him with a UDFA grade over the summer.

Nixon (5'11/193) was a four-star commitment from the JUCO ranks who spent two years in the Gamecocks secondary. He gets quality reviews for his ability to help in the run game, and also as an instinctive defender as a cover corner. He profiles best in the slot, but he’ll get a chance to show his coverage skills on the outside as well. He projects as a Day 3 selection at this point.

Score one for Will Muschamp, who also grabbed former Clemson cornerback Kaleb Chalmers on the JUCO trail. Nixon enrolled at South Carolina this month, which means he’ll be ready to roll for spring practices. “Nixon is a 6-foot, 200-pound cornerback with the length and physicality to play anywhere in the secondary,” wrote ESPN’s Gerry Hamilton. “A complete player, Nixon sheds blocks quickly and closes with the ability to strike against the run. In coverage, he’s instinctive and adept in zone with quick and explosive reactions to get his hands on passes.”