Patriots Sleeper Receiver Has Been ‘Surprising Offseason Standout’

The New England Patriots have a strong roster at the moment. Head coach Bill Belichick selected an excellent group of players in the 2022 NFL Draft. He also got some great players, including DeVante Parker. That’s not all. Patriots coaches watched players on the practice field this offseason and they could all agree that one standout can make a change.

Mike Reiss from ESPN believes that Tre Nixon is a “surprise offseason standout” for the team. Yes, the second-year player has so much to work on, but his great potential could help the Patriots win a lot of games in the upcoming season. Nixon will have to work really hard to make the active roster. However, we have a few good reasons to believe that Nixon will do that and much more. Belichick likes talented players and Nixon is a good fit for his roster.

“[He] caught two deep passes from Mac Jones — one of which he pinned to his chest with his right hand while covered tightly — to earn himself an unexpected trip to the post-practice interview podium,” Reiss wrote. “Nixon, who drove to the stadium every day last season with Jones as they took their COVID tests together before entering the facility, spent 2021 on the practice squad. He faces a crowded WR depth chart headlined by DeVante Parker, Jakobi Meyers, Nelson Agholor, Kendrick Bourne and 2022 second-round pick Tyquan Thornton, but he has made an early case as a player to watch when training camp begins.”

Patriots have high expectations from their offseason standout

Nixon’s great performance will secure his spot on the depth chart. If Belichick decides to cut this number to five, he may decide to get rid of Nelson Agholor. The wide receiver didn’t play at a high level in 2021, but he was great in minicamp.

Belichick will make the best decision for his team. Nixon can make a change in so many ways. Let’s see what happens by the end of this summer.

Nixon can easily secure a higher spot on the depth chart. He will have to beat other receivers though.