Daviyon Nixon NFL Draft Prospect Report
DT, Iowa
Daviyon Nixon, Panther should sound good to Carolina Panthers’ fans. Here’s what you can expect from the rookie.
The Start
Daviyon Nixon was a 3-star defensive lineman out of Wisconsin who signed with Iowa over Purdue. Due to academics, he had to go to community college before he would be able to play big time college football. But while at Iowa Western, he was so impressive that a school that some consider slightly better tried to snag Nixon from the Hawkeyes. Although Nick Saban and Alabama came calling, Nixon honored his original commitment to Iowa and joined the Hawkeyes.
Time At Iowa
After redshirting, he played in a defensive tackle rotation where he only got about 50% of the snaps but made a big time impact with 5.5 tackles for loss and 3 sacks. His junior year, he became the man for the Hawkeyes. Despite only playing eight games compared to 13 the year before, he went from 29 to 45 tackles with 13.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. He even had an interception (we will definitely be getting to that later). The massive leap forward was not only recognized by Hawkeye fans but the entire conference as he was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.
Play Style
Slicing through the offensive line is impressive. Even more impressive is the way that he is able to maintain his ground and turn back towards the play. He gives up his back to the guard, and manages to pivot, turn, and grab onto the running back with such a grip that he is able to take him to the ground. He’s going to get beaten by offensive linemen on occasion, but with that sort of strength and balance, he’s nearly impossible to take completely out of a play. Nixon also shows excellent instincts.
Here he does a great job of recognizing the linemen rushing up the field. Despite it being a pass play he holds his ground instead of charging towards the quarterback. Instead, he reads the quarterback’s eyes and is already closing in on the receiver before the ball even leaves the quarterback’s hand. The receiver has no chance.
Versatility
Speaking of no chance, let’s watch some Nebraska football. You may think that you don’t need to block the defensive tackle on a jet sweep. In Daviyon Nixon’s case, you would be very wrong.
You see the explosiveness from Nixon on this one. It looks like he has a rocket up his ass as he completely blows up this play. It is rare for a defensive tackle to give wide receivers nowhere to run, but Nixon does it again here.
Pick 6
I can’t say I remember seeing this too often, but Nixon literally jukes the offensive lineman. One of his biggest strengths in the run game is that he is able to consistently use offensive linemen’s aggression against them. And finally, the coup de grace.
Great plays make you yell in amazement. Transcendent plays make you laugh at what you just saw, and let me tell you, this play had me laughing my face off.
Nixon isn’t without flaws. Even though he made some plays in the backfield, he’s not a three technique that is going to get double digit sacks from the middle of the line. He’s more versatile in that he could play numerous positions along the line. For example he played nose, three-technique, and some occasional defensive end for the Hawkeyes. Though it was probably not long enough to be a 3-4 end. He’s athletic enough that he can play all three downs. I saw Kawaan Short as a comparison and I think that’s fitting. He’ll be an impactful player, but not an All Pro type of guy. His value is more tied into how many things he can do for your team, as opposed to just one area of excellence.
Update
Congrats to Davyion Nixon Panthers. A steal in the 2021 NFL Draft.
