Panthers 2021 season opener countdown: 94 days to go
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We’re counting down the days until the Panthers kick off the 2021 season.
We’re 94 days away from the Carolina Panthers 2021 season opener, so that means today’s countdown piece is devoted to No. 94 on the roster — defensive tackle Daviyon Nixon.
The Panthers selected Nixon with the No. 158 pick (fifth round) in the 2021 NFL Draft. At 6-foot-3 and 305 pounds, Nixon is expected to fill the 3-tech role vacated by Kawann Short after the Panthers parted ways with the veteran in February.
Nixon played his college ball at Iowa and logged 74 tackles (41 solo), 19 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 pass defensed and 1 interception (returned for a touchdown) in his two years there. Nixon was the 2020 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and a Consensus All-American last year, and ranked No. 1 in the conference in tackles for loss in 2020.
Nixon has the tools to be an effective 3-tech at the next level according to his draft profile from Pro Football Network.
Plays with proper pad level, holds his ground, and does not give up an inch to opponents. Powerful and does a great job occupying blockers. Fluid moving laterally, makes a lot of athletic plays, and pursues the action to the sidelines.
Fires through the open gaps of the offensive line to penetrate the backfield and possesses a closing burst of speed. Plays tough, smart football and gets his hands up to bat away the pass if he cannot get to the passer. Keeps his feet moving and is a load to handle in the middle of the line.
After reading the previous two paragraphs, you’re probably wondering why the Panthers were able to take Nixon in the fifth round. Well, there are some size concerns with Nixon, as well as the thought he could be limited to playing the 3-tech spot in a 4-3 alignment. His one big year in college is also seen as a negative according to Pro Football Network’s Oliver Hodgkinson.
Lacks bulk and isn’t a big or overpowering defensive tackle who collapses the pocket or bull rushes opponents off the line. Has just one year of big-time production on his college football resume.
There are also the dreaded ‘character concerns’ about Nixon, according to a report from WalterFootball.
In speaking to team sources, there were major character concerns with Nixon that sunk his draft grade. Some teams had dropped him from their boards because of his character issues, and the feedback from the Iowa staff was not positive. Nixon is going to have make some serious changes with his off-the-field habits in order to stick in the NFL and avoid suspensions.
I’m not going to speculate on the character concerns because I don’t have the proper amount of information at my disposal, but I think the Panthers’ brass believed it wasn’t a big enough issue to keep him off their board and decided to take a Day 3 gamble on a potential top-tier prospect. There’s always a risk involved when making draft picks, but Nixon could end up being a Day 3 steal for the Panthers if everything works out.
Nixon should see plenty of action for the Panthers in a rotation at defensive tackle with Derrick Brown, DaQuan Jones and potentially Morgan Fox, and he’ll be given plenty of opportunities to fill the void left by Kawann Short’s departure. If he can add some weight to his frame, and if he can show the Panthers that the ‘character concerns’ weren’t concerns at all, then there’s a chance for him to work his way into a starting spot on the defensive line for the next few years.
We’re counting down the days until the Panthers kick off the 2021 season.
We’re 94 days away from the Carolina Panthers 2021 season opener, so that means today’s countdown piece is devoted to No. 94 on the roster — defensive tackle Daviyon Nixon.
The Panthers selected Nixon with the No. 158 pick (fifth round) in the 2021 NFL Draft. At 6-foot-3 and 305 pounds, Nixon is expected to fill the 3-tech role vacated by Kawann Short after the Panthers parted ways with the veteran in February.
Nixon played his college ball at Iowa and logged 74 tackles (41 solo), 19 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 pass defensed and 1 interception (returned for a touchdown) in his two years there. Nixon was the 2020 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and a Consensus All-American last year, and ranked No. 1 in the conference in tackles for loss in 2020.
Nixon has the tools to be an effective 3-tech at the next level according to his draft profile from Pro Football Network.
Plays with proper pad level, holds his ground, and does not give up an inch to opponents. Powerful and does a great job occupying blockers. Fluid moving laterally, makes a lot of athletic plays, and pursues the action to the sidelines.
Fires through the open gaps of the offensive line to penetrate the backfield and possesses a closing burst of speed. Plays tough, smart football and gets his hands up to bat away the pass if he cannot get to the passer. Keeps his feet moving and is a load to handle in the middle of the line.
After reading the previous two paragraphs, you’re probably wondering why the Panthers were able to take Nixon in the fifth round. Well, there are some size concerns with Nixon, as well as the thought he could be limited to playing the 3-tech spot in a 4-3 alignment. His one big year in college is also seen as a negative according to Pro Football Network’s Oliver Hodgkinson.
Lacks bulk and isn’t a big or overpowering defensive tackle who collapses the pocket or bull rushes opponents off the line. Has just one year of big-time production on his college football resume.
There are also the dreaded ‘character concerns’ about Nixon, according to a report from WalterFootball.
In speaking to team sources, there were major character concerns with Nixon that sunk his draft grade. Some teams had dropped him from their boards because of his character issues, and the feedback from the Iowa staff was not positive. Nixon is going to have make some serious changes with his off-the-field habits in order to stick in the NFL and avoid suspensions.
I’m not going to speculate on the character concerns because I don’t have the proper amount of information at my disposal, but I think the Panthers’ brass believed it wasn’t a big enough issue to keep him off their board and decided to take a Day 3 gamble on a potential top-tier prospect. There’s always a risk involved when making draft picks, but Nixon could end up being a Day 3 steal for the Panthers if everything works out.
Nixon should see plenty of action for the Panthers in a rotation at defensive tackle with Derrick Brown, DaQuan Jones and potentially Morgan Fox, and he’ll be given plenty of opportunities to fill the void left by Kawann Short’s departure. If he can add some weight to his frame, and if he can show the Panthers that the ‘character concerns’ weren’t concerns at all, then there’s a chance for him to work his way into a starting spot on the defensive line for the next few years.
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