Latest news with #KeiseanNixon
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Stats show Keisean Nixon's big improvement in 2024 and value he brings to Packers defense
Keisean Nixon has had quite the rise after three years in the wilderness with the Raiders, becoming an All-Pro kick returner for the Packers and eventually a full-time cornerback. He enters 2025 firmly in the starting rotation in Green Bay, and the numbers show just how far Nixon has come in his three years with the Packers. Here is his complete statistical profile: Strengths Given the winding career Nixon has had, and the fact he only has two years of close to full time defensive snaps to analyze, it feels unfair to expect him to have established many consistent strengths, and there are only a couple of statistical areas he has excelled in year on year. Among qualified cornerbacks since 2022, Nixon ranks in the 92nd percentile for stops per game, which are tackles resulting in a failure for the offense. Nixon has been an active and impactful run defender, which is an underrated skill set in a corner. He was unleashed as a blitzer in 2024, and repaid the Packers' faith, grading out as the best in the NFL at his position in terms of hurries and hits per pass rush opportunity, sacks per opportunity and PFFs pass rush productivity (PRP) metric. Nixon was the most dangerous blitzing corner in the league, putting up nine pressures and three sacks. He also had a pair of sacks in 2023. Weaknesses While Nixon has been a playable cornerback, which as a former vet minimum free agent pickup, is a success in itself, he is not a Pro Bowler by any means, and has struggled compared to his peers in various advanced metrics, at least until 2024 (more on that later). Since 2022, he ranks in the 22nd percentile or worse in snaps per reception allowed (S/REC), reception percentage allowed (REC%) and forced incompletion rate (FI%). He has been consistently below average in NFL passer rating allowed (NFLPR) as well. In particular, he has struggled in zone coverage, ranking in the 28th percentile or lower in NFLPR, FI%, S/REC and REC% since 2022. Green Bay kicked Nixon from the slot to the boundary midway through 2024, and the move was justified, as he has not fared too well inside, at least according to the numbers. When manning the slot, Nixon failed to rank higher than the 36th percentile in any of the stats used to build his profile. Trending up The good news is that Nixon has made truly remarkable progress in coverage as he has played more on defense, especially this past season. Year on year, his Y/SNAP improved from the 10th percentile to the 38th and then the 90th in 2024, while his S/REC ranking rose from the 2nd percentile in 2022 to the 13th and then the 51st last season. While he still graded out below average in both REC% and FI% in 2024, his rankings also improved in both metrics from 2022 to 2023 and again from 2023 to 2024. Nixon was a much better corner in man, zone, and in the slot in 2024 than he was in either of the previous two years. On the whole, he was just a tick below an average cover corner last season, and if he plays on the perimeter more consistently in 2025, he could post even better overall numbers. Nixon has also become a better run defender over time and has been one of the better run defending cornerbacks in the league since 2023. In 2024, he had a career year in terms of missed tackle rate. He ranked in the 71st percentile compared to his peers, missing 9.9% of his tackles overall. Trending down There is only one statistical measure in which Nixon has notably declined over time, which is a very positive sign. That statistic is penalties, which is an important one for evaluating cornerbacks, as they are one of the most commonly penalized positions, and it does reflect on their coverage ability. After ranking in the 63rd percentile for penalties per snap in 2022, Nixon dropped slightly to the 59th percentile in 2023, before a steep decline to the 27th percentile last season. He was flagged nine times in 2024, having only drawn six penalties in the previous two years combined. Evaluating Nixon based on where he is right now, he has turned into a slightly below average cover corner, but the added value of his prowess in run defense and as a blitzer make him a just above average cornerback in terms of the whole package he provides. Whether he can find another gear remains to be seen, but for the $6 million per year the Packers are paying Nixon, he has returned immense value. Having just turned 28, there is likely not a super high ceiling to be hit, but the move to the perimeter seemed to suit Nixon and could allow him to play his best football in 2025.
Forbes
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
The Most Important Packers: No. 12 — Keisean Nixon
Green Bay Packers cornerback/return ace Keisean Nixon (25) had his best season in 2024. The Green Bay Packers went 11-6 last season, sweeping the NFC West and the AFC South along the way. Overall, though, no one in the building was happy. The Packers failed to build on their terrific finish to the 2023 campaign, settled for the No. 7 seed in the NFC playoffs, and lost a Wild Card game to eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia. Afterwards, general manager Brian Gutekunst turned up the heat on everybody in the building. 'We need to continue to ramp up our sense of urgency,' Gutekunst said. 'I think it's time we started competing for championships.' Those are fair expectations. The Packers return 20 of 22 starters, and appear to have upgraded the roster via free agency and the draft. With several third and fourth year players trending upward, Green Bay should be poised to make a move. 'I think they're ready,' Gutekunst said. Now, it's time for the Packers to prove their G.M. right. Green Bay's first training camp practice is July 23. Between now and then I will count down the '30 Most Important Packers' heading into the 2025 campaign. At No. 12 is cornerback Keisean 12 Keisean Nixon, CB Last season Nixon played all 17 games and made 15 starts, posting career-highs in tackles (88), tackles for loss (eight) and sacks (three). He also had a team-leading three forced fumbles and posted career bests in quarterback hits (six) and passes defensed (seven). Nixon was the only defensive back in football and one of just five players to have three-plus sacks, three-plus forced fumbles and an interception. Nixon played 74.7% of the snaps in Weeks 1-3 as Green Bay's primary nickel back. But when Eric Stokes struggled outside, and Jaire Alexander broke down physically, Nixon moved outside and performed well. In fact, in 11 of the Packers' final 14 games, Nixon played at least 97% of the snaps. Nixon's overall grade from Pro Football Focus was 64.5, which ranked 87th out of 222 corners in the NFL. His best work came when rushing the passer, where his 92.7 grade ranked fourth. Nixon's mediocre coverage grade of 60.7 ranked 116th out of 222 corners. And opposing quarterbacks had a 99.7 passer rating throwing at Nixon. Nixon also averaged 29.3 yards on his 18 kickoff returns and 12.0 yards on his four punt returns. His fumble on the opening kickoff of Green Bay's Wild Card playoff loss to Philadelphia was a killer, though, leading to a quick Eagles' touchdown and putting the Packers in a hole all to date Nixon spent the first three years of his career with the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders, where he was a reserve corner and averaged just 14.0 yards on his six kickoff returns. Nixon came to Green Bay in 2022, but he didn't get a chance to start returning kicks until Week 6 when the Packers finally gave up on former third round draft choice Amari Rodgers. Nixon then made the most of his opportunities, ranking first in the league with an average of 28.8 yards per return. Nixon also led the league in kickoff returns of 50-plus yards (five) and 30-plus yards (11), and had a league-leading 1,009 yards on kickoff returns. Nixon became the Packers' slot corner in 2023, but allowed completions on a whopping 78.7% of passes thrown his way. Opposing quarterbacks also had a passer rating of 101.1 with Nixon in coverage, and he finished with the same number of penalties (five) as passes defensed. Nixon did have another big season as a returner in 2023, when he led the NFL with 782 yards on kickoff returns — 271 more than runner-up Xavier Gipson of the New York Jets. Nixon also led all qualified kickoff returners with a 26.1-yard average. That helped Nixon become just the fourth player to earn first-team All-Pro honors from The Associated Press at kick returner in back-to-back years (2022-23), joining Mel Gray (1990-91), Devin Hester (2006-07) and Cordarrelle Patterson (2019-20). 'I'm one of a kind,' Nixon said after receiving the Nixon views himself as a CB1. He's not, and the cold truth is Green Bay may not have one. Nixon has developed into a serviceable starter, though. And with depth at the position an issue, Nixon figures to log a heavy workload once again. Nixon's role in the return game is a bit more fuzzy. When the 2024 season ended, Nixon said: 'I want to be CB1. CB1 is not doing kick returns. That's just what it is.' When told of those remarks, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said: 'Not sure why he said what he said.' During Green Bay's OTAs last month, Nixon backed off that statement — somewhat. 'I'm open to it,' Nixon said of returning kicks. 'I'm always going to do what the team needs. Also, just me knowing who I am as a person. If the game's on the line, I'm gonna want the ball anyways. 'That's a comment I probably could've kept to myself, for sure, but it is what it is. I meant what I said but I'm also a team player and if the coach and the team need me to do something, I'm gonna do it for sure.'They Said It … 'I thought when we moved Keisean to the outside and he consistently played there, I thought he played really, really well. Not only in coverage but as a tackler as well and run game. Keisean being able to kind of solidify us as an outside corner where he had always played inside for the most part, most of his career, I think he certainly has proved that he can play out there at a high level.' — Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst on Nixon'I was proud of Keisean last year. Onboarding with him the first year and getting to know him as a man, as a father, and he did a really good job of being able to be inside and outside. Very impressed with his maturity, his leadership, and he's taken that next step and I think the sky's the limit for him.' — Packers passing game coordinator Derrick Ansley on Nixon'I don't feel like I'm an old guy yet. I'm in Year 7 but my body feels like I'm on Year 4. Because with the Raiders, I don't feel like I was really on the team, for real. I was just making money, I guess. It's just what it was. When I got here, I feel like I was a rookie. My first year here was Year 4, but it don't change nothing. I'm here to work and show I am who I am and what I can do outside. I showed that last year and just complete my resume. Everything they've asked me to do, I did it at a high level.' — Nixon on his career pathTHE TOP 30 • No. 30 — RB MarShawn Lloyd • No. 29 — WR Dontayvion Wicks • No. 28 — S Javon Bullard • No. 27 — WR Savion Williams • No. 26 — LB Isaiah McDuffie • No. 25 — OL Jordan Morgan • No. 24 — WR Matthew Golden • No. 23 — CB Carrington Valentine • No. 22 — WR Romeo Doubs • No. 21 — QB Malik Willis • N0. 20 — DE Lukas Van Ness • No. 19 — RG Sean Rhyan • No. 18 — LT Rasheed Walker • No. 17 — DT Devonte Wyatt • No. 16 — S Evan Williams • No. 15 — CB Nate Hobbs • No. 14 — LB Quay Walker • No. 13 — OL Aaron Banks
Forbes
03-06-2025
- General
- Forbes
Packers' Keisean Nixon Might Not Be Done Returning Kicks Just Yet
Green Bay Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon averaged a career-best 29.3 yards per kick return in ... More 2024, but had just 18 return chances. Keisean Nixon is awfully quick with the ball in his hands. Turns out the Green Bay Packer cornerback/return ace might also be too quick with some of his words. When the Packers' 2024 campaign ended, Nixon said: 'I want to be CB1. CB1 is not doing kick returns. That's just what it is.' On Tuesday, after Green Bay finished an OTA practice, Nixon walked back that statement. 'That's a comment I probably could've kept to myself, for sure, but it is what it is,' Nixon said. 'I meant what I said, but I'm also a team player and if the coach and the team need me to do something, I'm going to do it for sure.' Nixon was an All-Pro kick returner in both 2022 and 2023, averaging 27.6 yards per return those two seasons. After the NFL implemented new kickoff return rules in 2024, though, Nixon had just 18 return attempts. Nixon actually averaged a career-best 29.3 yards per kick return last season. But Nixon's limited opportunities, and his critical lost fumble on the opening play of the Packers' playoff loss to Philadelphia, led to clear frustration. 'I was kind of frustrated when the season was over, but it's (valuable) always — especially when it comes to me being who I am when doing it,' Nixon said. 'So of course, I'm open to it. I'm always going to do what the team needs. 'Also, just me knowing who I am as a person. If the game's on the line, I'm going to want the ball anyways.' Nixon had the best defensive year of his six NFL seasons in 2024, when he started 15 games and set career-highs in tackles (88), tackles for loss (eight), passes defensed (seven), sacks (three) and quarterback hits (six). He also had one interception and a team-high three forced fumbles. While many across the league probably don't view Nixon as a shutdown corner, he's certainly a valuable piece of Green Bay's defense. Nixon — who joined the Packers in 2022 — played the slot early in his Green Bay career, then was predominantly on the outside last year. 'To his credit, he's shown a lot of versatility, you know, in terms of how we've used him in the past … switching him from inside to outside,' Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur said. 'And I think he did a lot of great things last year, primarily playing on the outside.' Whether or not Nixon's duties still include returning kicks, though, remains to be seen.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Packers' Keisean Nixon open to returning kickoffs again in 2025
Green Bay Packers cornerback and All-Pro returner Keisean Nixon admitted frustration played a part in his postgame comments following January's playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, and he's open to being the team's kickoff returner in 2025. "I was kind of frustrated when the season was over," Nixon said Tuesday. "Of course, I'm open to it. I'm always going to do what the team needs. Also, knowing who I am as a person, if the game's on the line, I'm going to want the ball anyway." Advertisement In the minutes following the Packers' loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Wild Card Round, Nixon -- who fumbled the opening kickoff after a helmet-to-helmet hit -- expressed a desire to be done returning kickoffs so he could focus on his increasing responsibilities at cornerback. Time provided Nixon with a different perspective as the Packers now work through the offseason workout program this spring. "That's probably a comment I could have kept to myself, for real, but it is what it is," Nixon said. "I meant what I said, but I'm also a team player. And if the coach and the team need me to do something, I'm going to do it for sure." Nixon led the NFL in kickoffs and kickoff return yards in both 2022 and 2023, leading to All-Pro honors both seasons. He averaged 29.3 yards per kickoff return in 2024 but got only 18 opportunities. Advertisement Nixon said the adjusted kickoff rules for 2025 -- which will give the offense the ball at the 35-yard line following kickoffs -- probably won't affect how teams approach kicking him the ball. "The rule change don't matter. I don't think they are going to freely kick me the ball. They would rather get the ball at the 35 than to the 50, so I think it'll be the same," Nixon said. The Packers signed veteran returner Mecole Hardman this offseason, and first-round pick Matthew Golden and third-round pick Savion Williams have kickoff return experience, so Matt LaFleur and Rich Bisaccia will have options on special teams. Hear more from the highly confident Nixon below: This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers' Keisean Nixon open to returning kickoffs again in 2025
USA Today
03-06-2025
- General
- USA Today
Packers' Keisean Nixon open to returning kickoffs again in 2025
Packers' Keisean Nixon open to returning kickoffs again in 2025 Green Bay Packers cornerback and All-Pro returner Keisean Nixon admitted frustration played a part in his postgame comments following January's playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, and he's open to being the team's kickoff returner in 2025. "I was kind of frustrated when the season was over," Nixon said Tuesday. "Of course, I'm open to it. I'm always going to do what the team needs. Also, knowing who I am as a person, if the game's on the line, I'm going to want the ball anyway." In the minutes following the Packers' loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Wild Card Round, Nixon -- who fumbled the opening kickoff after a helmet-to-helmet hit -- expressed a desire to be done returning kickoffs so he could focus on his increasing responsibilities at cornerback. Time provided Nixon with a different perspective as the Packers now work through the offseason workout program this spring. "That's probably a comment I could have kept to myself, for real, but it is what it is," Nixon said. "I meant what I said, but I'm also a team player. And if the coach and the team need me to do something, I'm going to do it for sure." Nixon led the NFL in kickoffs and kickoff return yards in both 2022 and 2023, leading to All-Pro honors both seasons. He averaged 29.3 yards per kickoff return in 2024 but got only 18 opportunities. Nixon said the adjusted kickoff rules for 2025 -- which will give the offense the ball at the 35-yard line following kickoffs -- probably won't affect how teams approach kicking him the ball. "The rule change don't matter. I don't think they are going to freely kick me the ball. They would rather get the ball at the 35 than to the 50, so I think it'll be the same," Nixon said. The Packers signed veteran returner Mecole Hardman this offseason, and first-round pick Matthew Golden and third-round pick Savion Williams have kickoff return experience, so Matt LaFleur and Rich Bisaccia will have options on special teams. Hear more from the highly confident Nixon below:
