NFL Draft results 2021: Why the Patriots selected UCF wide receiver Tre Nixon

The New England Patriots selected a wide receiver to cap off their contributions to the 2021 NFL Draft.

They did so by selecting Central Florida wide receiver Tre Nixon with the 242nd overall pick.

Here is your first look at why they made that choice.

A speed option at the wide receiver position

Even though the Patriots made several upgrades to the wide receiver position throughout free agency, there is still a noticeable lack of speed at the position. The selection of Tre Nixon changes that. Prior to his addition, the fastest receiver on the roster was Nelson Agholor who ran a 4.47 coming out of college. Nixon edges him out at 4.43.

A valuable camp body

Not only will Nixon be able to push for a roster spot in training camp by showing off that tremendous speed, but he will serve as a solid body to give the defensive backs some work. That alone will make him more than worth the draft pick, found value in the late rounds.

Competition for the under performers

It’s no secret that N’Keal Harry has underperformed. There is some hope that with each WR addition, Harry can step up his game to the level many (including the Patriots) believe he can play at.

Nixon certainly won’t look as intimidating as a first round pick, but another body on the roster to commandeer some reps is a positive for competition. A small positive but that’s about what you get from a seventh round pick.