Getting to know 2021 Steelers draft prospect Tre Nixon with SKL

[steelerkeylargo]

Hey gang. As many of you know this is the time of year I go from observing to posting. I usually will take a behind the scenes look at a bunch of guys that should be on the Steelers radar (although admittedly not as many as I used to when I was hitting up the Senior Bowl and Combine every year). This thread will look at WR-Tre Nixon-UCF


Pros

* Shows a good array of skills to beat press man and jams
* willing if inconsistent blocker
* flashes ability to pluck the football
* solid route runner even though tree is limited
* Flashes good awareness to come back to football
* elite speed


Cons

* shows tendency to let ball into body
* spent most of 2020 on sideline with a broken collar bone
* slight frame
* can get bodied off his route downfield
* limited experience

NFL Pro Player Comp- Chris Conley
Draft Day Range- Late day 3

[Joel Buchsbaum]

I have not seen him play, but the below scouting review turns me off a bit. Iffy hands? We don't need that. Looks like he under achieved a bit. Didn't light them up in the Sun Belt . We might disagree a little but these are not SEC, ACC or, Big 10 numbers. I want to see him weigh in, as the 6'2 180 listing could be giving him a few extra pounds.

The scouting report:

PROS: Left a crowded wide receiver room at Ole Miss and has become a productive weapon for UCF. Does well to vary his releases, showcasing hand swipes, footwork, body fakes and angling to clear press coverage. Has tremendous speed which puts stress on opponents to defend him down the field but it also opens up opportunities to snap off route stems and work back to the football. Crips route runner that is sudden in and out of breaks. Ball tracking and adjustments down the field are sufficient. Has illustrated the ability to pluck the football away from his frame with extension. Competitive blocker despite inconsistent results.

CONS: Not immune to drops or double catches and will occasionally misplay the football down the field. Doesn’t impress when he has to be physical and play through contact. Given his athletic profile, more production after the catch was expected. Has run an extremely limited route tree at UCF, primarily go balls and comebacks so learning and executing a more complete route tree is something to consider in his acclimation to the next level.

NFL Mock Draft 2021: What The Experts Predict
thedelite.com


For WR's I do like Amari Rodgers as a slot receiver for us, as early as round three, and IMO he would be a great 4th -5th round pick.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

I'm annoyed how TuTu Atwell is climbing up boards during the offseason. He was this year's "best fit from Louisville" (my alma mater), but only when he was considered a 4th rounder, not the borderline 1st rounder some are giving him.

He's like 5"10, 155 - very slight build, but always seems to be the fastest person on the field. He's the guy you want on a WR screen. Or a punt return. Basically, just anywhere you can get him in space

[steelerkeylargo]

I have not seen him play, but the below scouting review turns me off a bit. Iffy hands? We don't need that. Looks like he under achieved a bit. Didn't light them up in the Sun Belt . We might disagree a little but these are not SEC, ACC or, Big 10 numbers. I want to see him weigh in, as the 6'2 180 listing could be giving him a few extra pounds.


The scouting report:

PROS: Left a crowded wide receiver room at Ole Miss and has become a productive weapon for UCF. Does well to vary his releases, showcasing hand swipes, footwork, body fakes and angling to clear press coverage. Has tremendous speed which puts stress on opponents to defend him down the field but it also opens up opportunities to snap off route stems and work back to the football. Crips route runner that is sudden in and out of breaks. Ball tracking and adjustments down the field are sufficient. Has illustrated the ability to pluck the football away from his frame with extension. Competitive blocker despite inconsistent results.

CONS: Not immune to drops or double catches and will occasionally misplay the football down the field. Doesn’t impress when he has to be physical and play through contact. Given his athletic profile, more production after the catch was expected. Has run an extremely limited route tree at UCF, primarily go balls and comebacks so learning and executing a more complete route tree is something to consider in his acclimation to the next level.

NFL Mock Draft 2021: What The Experts Predict
thedelite.com


For WR's I do like Amari Rodgers as a slot receiver for us, as early as round three, and IMO he would be a great 4th -5th round pick.

Sounds like they read my scouting report..........LOL. He fits where the Steelers should be looking. 6th round. Claypool, DJ and JW will be top 3. This guy at least can take the top off the D. I'd be fine with that from a 6th. A 4th round WR isn't out of the question but isn't a lock either. One thing I know is no team is better at drafting WR talent than Pittsburgh.

[steelerkeylargo]

I'm annoyed how TuTu Atwell is climbing up boards during the offseason. He was this year's "best fit from Louisville" (my alma mater), but only when he was considered a 4th rounder, not the borderline 1st rounder some are giving him.

He's like 5"10, 155 - very slight build, but always seems to be the fastest person on the field. He's the guy you want on a WR screen. Or a punt return. Basically, just anywhere you can get him in space

I can't say that I can imagine Tutu Atwell ever being a significant contributor in the NFL at that size. Maybe (maybe) if he could get up to 185 he could carve out a Curtis Samuel type role. At this point though Dri Archer is more likely. Sorry

[Joel Buchsbaum]

Sounds like they read my scouting report..........LOL. He fits where the Steelers should be looking. 6th round. Claypool, DJ and JW will be top 3. This guy at least can take the top off the D. I'd be fine with that from a 6th. A 4th round WR isn't out of the question but isn't a lock either. One thing I know is no team is better at drafting WR talent than Pittsburgh.

Yes the Steelers have a knack for finding receivers late. How much of that was Ben, we are about to find out.

IMO we need more reliability at WR. If Nixon can run a sub 4.4, show acceleration in the first ten yards, and show somewhat of a route tree I'm interested. He sounds a bit like a small school school speedster WR who's thinly built. I'd rater spend the later 2nd round picks on needs. ( G, TE, DL ) and hope one of those guys makes it over a 4th WR.

IMO, we need a slot receiver over a deep receiver. Amari Rodgers inperssed me at the senior bowl. While he can't blow the top off the defense, he's a chain mover and one tough cover in the slot. And his hands are excellent.

[Oviedo]

I've watched Nixon his whole career at UCF. He is a "swiss army knife" who can catch, return kicks and punts, run sweeps, screens, etc.

As SKL said he is likely a Rd 6 guy worth the pick.