2021 NFL Draft: 5 players who could be surprise first-round picks

For some, seeing Daviyon Nixon in the first round of a 2021 NFL Draft scenario does not come as much of a surprise at all.

For those who watched the Iowa Hawkeyes a lot this past season, it would be a surprise if Nixon was not selected in the first round.

This year’s defensive line class is not great at the top. There does not appear to be a Quinnen Williams or Leonard Williams type of player in this draft, and that is okay. There are still players to be had but because of the fact that the top of this class is offense-heavy, a player like Daviyon Nixon could be had in the late-first or even early second round and some team is going to get a steal.

I think Nixon is scheme versatile and while he’s not going to be lining up consistently at the 0T or 1T at the NFL level, he can play anywhere outside of that and do it at a high level against the run or pass.

He took such a huge leap forward for the Hawkeyes in 2020 and with his burst, athleticism, and upper body strength, I think Nixon is a first-round defensive lineman without question.