KC Chiefs: Time for a way too early mock draft for the 2021 NFL Draft
By John McCarty
Round 7, Pick 25: K.D. Nixon, WR (Colorado)
As the Chiefs likely transition Mecole Hardman into a more regular receiver role after this season, they may look to replace some of his special teams and versatility type roles with the speedy, shifty Colorado receiver K.D. Nixon.
With speed to burn, experience returning kicks, lining up in the backfield and outside as a receiver, his versatility and speed fit exactly into what the Chiefs are looking for.
His potential is limited in part because while explosive, he doesn’t fight through tackles and doesn’t track the ball quite as well as current shorter Chiefs receiver Tyreek Hill does. He also doesn’t run routes as perceive as Hardman either. He’s a really fast shorter football player that to this point has simply been asked to be faster than those around him.
His role is likely best related to former Chief De’Anthony Thomas doing things like returning kicks, speed routes, end arounds, things of that nature. However, at the end of the draft, teams usually look for either a unique talent they can coach up or an athlete that played at a lower level that can reach potential with professional level coaching.
Nixon is a very intriguing player and if the Chiefs could land him in the final round of the draft, they’d be elated.