New England Patriots: 3 intriguing receivers to watch during training camp
New England Patriots have a “Grinder” in Tre Nixon
There is always intrigue when it comes to late-round picks or undrafted free agents emerging to steal a roster spot. In 2022, that player will be New England Patriots 2021 seventh-round pick Tre Nixon.
After spending his entire rookie season on the practice squad, the wide receiver out of the University of Central Florida really stood out during minicamp this spring looking like he will be a player who will challenge for a roster spot.
Related Story. Tre Nixon emerging as a potential option at WR. light
At 6-foot-2, Nixon played just four games in his final season at Central Florida in 2020. In that season he caught 19 passes for 260 yards and two touchdowns, but it was the year prior that really showcased his potential. In 2019, Nixon caught 49 passes for 830 yards and seven touchdowns, which may have made him a higher draft pick if he put up similar numbers in 2020.
It was just minicamp, but the connection he showed with Patriots quarterback Mac Jones is encouraging and on a team with no true slot receiver, Nixon could work his way on the roster to fill that void. The advantage he does have is the chemistry formed with Jones who applauded the second-year receiver during minicamp.
"“Tre came in with me,” Jones said, as transcribed by 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.”"
The question now is can Tre Nixon take that minicamp hype with him into training camp and beyond. Will his progression and work ethic push a veteran like Nelson Agholor? Definitely a player Patriots fans should watch and root for heading into training camp.