After entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of South Carolina and spending three years with the Raiders, Keisean Nixon has finally found a home with the Green Bay Packers.
Nixon came to Green Bay with an opportunity to reunite with former Raiders special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia and function as a reserve cornerback to provide some much-needed depth.
However, the 5-foot-10, 200-pound cornerback quickly made a name for himself as a return man after the Packers admitted failure and cut ties with former KR Amari Rodgers.
Nixon led the NFL in kickoff return yard average (28.8-yard average + five returns over 50 yards) on 35 attempts and even took a 105-yard kick return to the crib for a touchdown in a victory over the Vikings in week 17.
“I don’t really feel like I accomplished much,” said Nixon during organized team activities. “I only played nine games at kick returner. Was it the best? Yeah. But that wasn’t really my best. I was just getting my feet wet, honestly. That’s why this year is going to be really special.”
His breakout on special teams led to him receiving All-Pro honors as a kick returner, but the Green Bay Packers coaching staff has bigger plans for Nixon in 2023-24.
Keisean Nixon Set for a More Significant Role with Green Bay Packers in Year Two
Shortly after signing a one-year contract with the Packers that could reach up to $6 million with incentives, head coach Matt LaFleur tabbed Keisean Nixon as his starting slot cornerback for the upcoming season, a role he saw minimal usage in 2022-23.
According to Pro Football Focus, Nixon played a career-high 290 snaps on defense last season in four starts, 244 of which came from the slot. He registered 23 tackles, two pass deflections, one pressure, and an interception.
However, Nixon didn’t hold up as favorably in coverage, allowing 23 catches on 29 targets for 239 yards (10.4 Y/REC) and finished with a 61.2 grade for the season, which is on the low end of average. It’s worth mentioning that he didn’t allow a touchdown, though.
Is trusting someone who never played more than 290 defensive snaps as the Green Bay Packers starting nickel corner a gamble? Yes. But the playmaking ability, work ethic, and explosiveness Nixon plays the game with could be worth the risk for a team in transition. As they say, talent and opportunity alignment are the two main ingredients for a breakout.
It also helps that Nixon will be playing inside experienced cornerbacks like Jaire Alexander, Rasul Douglas, and even Eric Stokes when he returns from injury. Additionally, having athletic inside linebackers like De’Vondre Campbell and Quay Walker should play a significant role in creating tighter windows for opposing quarterbacks to work within the middle of the field.
I’m skeptical that Nixon will thrive playing the slot on defense, but optimistic about the thought process and seeing him continue to dominate on special teams. I also wouldn’t mind finding ways to involve him in a package or two on offense (think Tyler Irvin’s role) to keep teams on their toes–because, as we all know, Nixon is always just one cut away from a home run.
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