Tag: Tre Nixon

Mac Jones discusses the relationship he’s built with WR Tre Nixon

“We used to drive to the facility every day together last year and then take our COVID test and go to work.”

Mac Jones and Tre Nixon have been the two standout players in the New England Patriots’ offseason programs thus far.

Nixon stood out above all other receivers in mandatory minicamp and it wasn’t close. He was drafted alongside Jones in the 2021 draft, but he was selected in the seventh round out of UCF. Ernie Adams, the Patriots’ research director from 2000-20, personally selected Nixon as the final draft pick of his career.

He didn’t see the field in 2021 as he stood on the practice squad and didn’t get elevated once for a game. But, he continued to work and is now sitting with an opportunity to potentially make the roster. In a video conference on Thursday, Jones discussed his relationship with Nixon and detailed his work ethic.

“Tre came in with me,” Jones said, via NESN.com. “We used to drive to the facility every day together last year and then take our COVID test and go to work. He’s a grinder. In the offseason, he’s there with all the guys at the throwing sessions. I don’t think he missed a single one, and he’s been grinding. He needs to continue to do that just like everybody else.”

Nelson Agholor backed up Jones’ sentiment about Nixon being a grinder while speaking with reporters after minicamp.

“I’m super excited because I’ve watched him work so hard. Honestly, I don’t think there’s anyone who trains as hard as Tre Nixon in my opinion,” Agholor said, transcribed by WEEI. “He’s busted his butt since he’s gotten here. I have a lot of respect for him because all he does is stay quiet and work hard. So I’m happy you guys get a chance to get a glimpse of his hard work.”

The primary issue for Nixon is the level of competition ahead of him, especially in the slot. DeVante Parker, Kendrick Bourne, Jakobi Meyers, Agholor and Tyquan Thornton are all ahead of Nixon on the roster.

At minimum, he will help motivate the rest of the guys even more to fight and grind for their roster spot.

“He adds that good speed to the group,” Jones said. “He’s a nice complement, and hopefully he’ll be able to continue to grow like everybody else and we can kind of have a full group here where we can substitute in and out and let those guys go make the plays.”

The Patriots have a hard-working group of wide receivers that carry depth from top to bottom, and Nixon has a real chance to be a part of that group in Week 1.

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Tre Nixon discusses special moment with Ernie Adams following draft night

“I’m in his debt. I owe him a lot. I really respect that dude.”

Tre Nixon is one of the New England Patriots’ more special draft picks in recent years.

The UCF wide receiver was hand-picked by Ernie Adams in the seventh round at pick No. 242 this year. Adams, 68, announced it would be his last draft after spending the last 20 years as the research director for the Patriots. Nixon was Adams’ parting gift and it left a significant impact from every angle.

While speaking with reporters following Thursday’s OTA session, Nixon discussed the special moment in April.

“Still to this day, I get chills going back and watching that video,” Nixon said, transcribed by WEEI. “It’s funny because Ernie, the day 1 when I reported here, he was one of the first people I saw in the building. So, I instantly smiled, introduced myself, he introduced his self and ever since then, I’m in his debt. I owe him a lot. I really respect that dude.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wynqMhuDb78&feature=emb_title

When it comes to the transition to the NFL, Nixon said his head has been spinning. He dove a little deeper and broke down the influential people he’s been around so far in Foxborough.

“It’s definitely different from college. I’ll tell you that,” Nixon said. “More complex but with the teammates and coaches I have, the veterans, Mac (Jones), Cam (Newton), (Jarrett) Stidham, I feel like they’ve done a really good job with helping me catch up to speed, because one of the biggest things they say is you don’t want to get left behind. So, I’ve got to stay ahead, and guys are doing a good job pushing me and getting all of the knowledge I can.”

Nixon has a long road ahead this offseason, but he could be the next late-round pick to grind his way to the 53-man roster.

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Patriots sign first two rookies from 2021 draft class

The Patriots signed the first two rookies of the 2021 class.

The New England Patriots signed wide receiver Tre Nixon, a seventh-round pick, and offensive lineman William Sherman, a sixth-rounder, on Tuesday. In doing so, they were the first members of the 2021 rookie class to sign their contracts.

Nixon was the last draft pick for now-retired director of football operations Ernie Adams. Nixon recorded 1,392 yards and 11 touchdowns in three seasons at UCF.

Sherman was a three-year starter at Colorado. He played both the right and left tackle positions, showcasing his versatility.

New England selected eight draft picks in what was a busy draft. They also managed to land an undrafted free agent in Quinn Nordin. The Patriots will get their first look at all of their draft picks when New England begins rookie minicamp this Friday.

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NFL analyst has this late-round Patriot as one of his favorite picks from draft

This draft pick was personally selected by Ernie Adams — there could be some promise here.

The New England Patriots could’ve walked away with a successful NFL draft following their first two picks alone.

Mac Jones surprisingly fell into the Patriots’ lap at No. 15 and the team traded up to No. 38 for arguably the best defensive tackle in the draft with Christian Barmore — both Alabama products. Bill Belichick shored up the defense and even got a bruiser running back (Rhamondre Stevenson) in the fourth round who can play special teams.

One of the more special picks was wide receiver Tre Nixon out of UCF at No. 242 in the seventh round. Nixon was personally chosen by Ernie Adams, who just worked his last draft following a four-decade run in the league. Nixon was also recognized by NFL Network’s Lance Zierlein, who published a column with his favorite three picks of each round.

The Patriots have had issues lately finding receivers who can separate, but Nixon could help in that area. He has the athletic ability to work all three levels of the field and the route running potential of a pro. His hands and play strength could both use some development.

The Patriots’ talent at receiver isn’t as stacked as other teams and it could leave an opening for Nixon to claim a roster spot. Nelson Agholor, Kendrick Bourne, Jakobi Meyers and N’Keal Harry sit atop the depth chart at the position.

Both Adams’ and Zierlein’s interest in Nixon makes an interesting storyline heading into offseason activities.

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Ernie Adams personally chooses final Patriots pick in 2021 NFL Draft

Ernie Adams personally chose the Patriots’ final pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

The legendary Ernie Adams, 68, just partook in his final NFL draft after spending four decades in the league.

Bill Belichick said it was Adams’ last draft but didn’t explicitly say he was retiring quite yet. Adams spent nearly 25 years floating around as an assistant coach and assumed his research director role in 2000 when Belichick became head coach of the New England Patriots. As the Boston Globe’s Jim McBride reported, Belichick said Adams has “literally been involved in every single aspect of the football program at every level.”

Because of this respect, Belichick allowed Adams to personally choose the Patriots’ final pick of the draft in the seventh round. He chose the first wide receiver in the team’s draft with UCF’s Tre Nixon at pick No. 242.

Belichick gave a speech before the pick to informally praise Adams.

“I just want to take a moment to recognize Ernie,” Belichick said, transcribed by NESN. “We’ll do this at a more formal time later, but Ernie’s career, especially in the draft room, is legendary. It started in 1976 through all the great players with the Patriots. …

“Ernie, I just want to thank you. As your final draft in the final round, as we go to the final pick, it’s yours. Thank you for all of your contributions, not only here but to the game and to the process of scouting.”

Belichick explained how Adams practically wrote the book on scouting.

“The grading scale, the lettering, the numbering, the different classifications of players, the report writing, critical factors — he’s been a part of all that for really four decades,” Belichick said. “So his impact on not only the scouting for me personally in this organization, but honestly through all the people who have been here and left here, as well as obviously some of the acquisition of some of the great players in this organization and some of the championships that have eventually come with them.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wynqMhuDb78

Time will tell how Adams’ final selection will pan out in Foxborough.

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Instant analysis of Patriots drafting Tre Nixon in the 7th round

The Patriots waited until the last round to add a pass catcher.

In what was considered a pretty deep draft at the position, Bill Belichick waited until the seventh round to draft a wide receiver when he selected Tre Nixon out of Central Florida with the 242nd overall pick.

Nixon missed six games in 2020 due to a shoulder injury, but he was able to put up 290 yards and two touchdowns on 19 receptions in his final season with the Knights. In his final complete season in 2019, he had 49 catches for 830 yards and seven touchdowns.

The 6-foot, 187-pound wideout showed pretty solid footwork and speed during his time in college, but his hands weren’t always the best which could be an issue at the next level.

Here’s what Lance Zuerlein had to say about the 23-year-old on NFL.com:

“Dangerous three-level talent with speed and short-area athleticism to play inside or outside as a pro. Nixon had impressive flashes over his first two seasons at UCF before playing in just four games this past year due to a shoulder injury. His play strength and hands are both in need of work in order for him to be considered a trustworthy option for play callers and quarterbacks. He has the juice to win foot races deep and displays enough route-running potential to uncover against pro coverage on the first and second levels. Nixon offers intriguing value as a potential Day 3 selection with WR3 talent.”

With comparisons to Robby Anderson and some mocks having him go as high as the fifth round, the Patriots may have gotten a pretty decent value on Nixon.

Watching his college tape, it’s evident that Nixon can separate from defenders, something many noticed was missing from N’Keal Harry’s highlight tape just two years ago. If the Patriots’ offense is going to be successful, no matter who the quarterback is, the receivers have to get open, and Nixon can do that.

New England doesn’t have the best group of weapons in the wide receiver room despite adding Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor this offseason. So, while it’s far from a guarantee that a seventh-round pick makes the team, Nixon may have a better chance than most.

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The Patriots pick UCF WR Tre Nixon in Round 7 of the 2021 NFL draft

He’s an absolutely studly athlete.

The New England Patriots picked UCF receiver Tre Nixon at 242nd overall in Round 7 of the 2021 NFL draft. For those waiting for a receiver, Bill Belichick obliged — though it may not be all that satisfactory with the team’s final pick of the draft.

Nixon, at 6-foot, 185 pounds, dealt with a broken collarbone in 2020, and finished with 19 receptions for 260 yards and two touchdowns. His best season came in 2019 when he had 49 catches for 830 yards and seven touchdowns. He should be in the mix to work all over New England’s offense at slot and outside, if he can make the team.

He had a nice mix of measurables that are classic for New England’s receivers: a 6.81 in 3-cone drill, a 4.44-second 40-yard dash (77th percentile), a 35.5-inch vert (50th), a 125-inch broad (78th) and a 4.25-second shuttle (43rd).

Nixon joins a rookie class which includes quarterback Mac Jones (15th overall), defensive tackle Christian Barmore (38th overall), defensive end Ronnie Perkins (96th overall), linebacker Cameron McGrone (177th overall), Missouri safety Joshuah Bledsoe (188th overall) and Colorado offensive lineman William Sherman (197th overall).

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