Nixon, a former junior college transfer turned first team All-American, checks all the boxes when it comes to projecting a player’s future pro success. At 6-3 and 313-pounds, with 35-inch arms, Nixon ran a blazing 4.86 40 at his pro day, a time that would seem far-fetched if not for the 71-yard pick-six he put on tape last November. Nixon’s 95 overall draft score ranks behind only Quinnen Williams (99), Aaron Donald (98) and Ed Oliver (96) among defensive tackles invited to the NFL Scouting Combine since 2013. That type of company may make Nixon a coveted player come Saturday.
Nixon is my choice too if Elijah Moore is gone. Big 10 Defensive player of the year and his game just keeps getting better. Sewell made the O better because the running game and passing game should have just gotten better. Nixon, well, we wouldn’t see RB’s running untouched at full speed at our LB’s and pressure on the QB makes it easier on the secondary.
I like Barmore better because I think Barmore hasn’t even scratch the surface of what he’s capable. He was really starting to grow as a player last year.
Nixon would be a nice option in a trade down scenario. He’s more of a penetrating type where Barmore is more versatile.
Nixon might make it to our round 3 pick.
This years draft has a lot of meat in it available between round 2-3. I’d like to see us add another pick in there. I am all for trading down a little.
Because you have links to about 100 different sites, that’s how many opinions you have. Mel’s original Top 10 was spot on, he changed it about 10x since then because that’s how he makes money. Then the fact that the entire DT class has been deemed as sub par this year, and here we are. It doesn’t change who Nixon is.
I get that, but usually in my experience there aren’t too many prospects that are rated top 10 and also 100+ There’s usually a consensus.
So I’m curious, if you know, why some sites have him listed that high and others so low? I could look it up myself, but I’d like to hear your case for him.\
Adding:
The post from Freebird calls him a Day 3 gem. Top 10 overall… Day 3… The write up on him looks impressive
Couldn’t agree more. For the record I’ve been stating this isn’t a bad DT class for months.
Barmore and D Nixon both have some Fletcher Cox to their games… their per games numbers in college were better than F Cox, D Payne, G Atkins, M Brockers, and even Gerald McCoy.
Look at the tape, stats, and pro day numbers of
Barmore
Nixon
Levi O
A McNeil
Then look at D Brown, J Kinlaw, and R Blacklock last year.
It’s kid of like seeing a 180 pound guy who is a built 5’9.5” with 4.35 speed, 17 reps and 3 years of great tape and stats still sitting there while Toney and Waddle are way gone
PFF had Nixon ranked as the No. 114 overall prospect, but I think in every single simulation I ran, Nixon never lasted past the very top of Round 3. He was always taken between roughly No. 55 and 68.
There wasn’t a single defensive tackle drafted in the first round.
Maybe it’s not a bad class, but when every team drafting in the first round passes on a defensive tackle, then that says something. Not bad, not elite?
If trading down allows you to improve another asset (for example, turn No. 101 into a mid-third round pick in the 80s), and there’s substantial chance you would get the same player at No. 51 as you would at No. 41, then you do the deal.
so many prospects i like at 41. Nixon is a hard pass for me. Elijah Moore tops my want list. JOK, Holland, Marshall, Barmore, Samuel are all prospects i would love to have. trading back a few spots to add a day 3 pick or two i would like also.
i dont think the lions can miss in round 2 with any of the best available