Did Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst drop a hint at how his team wants to line up in the secondary next season?
In an answer related to re-signing Keisean Nixon during Monday’s availability, Gutekunst said he’s expecting Nixon to play even more snaps in the nickel (slot corner) next season.
“We’re really excited about not only the return stuff, but we think he’s going to see a lot more time in the nickel this year, and we’re all really excited about that because when he was in there, he was impactful,” Gutekunst said.
Nixon, an All-Pro kick returner, played 244 snaps in the slot last season, with the majority coming over six games (Weeks 3-4, Week 9, Weeks 12-15). When covering from the slot, Nixon gave up 19 catches on 24 targets for 200 yards and intercepted one pass on 145 total coverage snaps, the most among Packers cornerbacks while in the slot.
How will the Packers arrange the secondary if Nixon is playing more snaps in the slot?
One easy answer: Rasul Douglas could move to safety. In this scenario, Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes would play on the perimeter at cornerback, Nixon in the slot and Douglas at safety, with Darnell Savage mixed in as a backup option in the slot and at safety.
Nixon playing more in the slot just doesn’t work number-wise if Douglas remains at cornerback. Stokes is returning from a season-ending ankle injury and will be an expected starter, and Alexander is one of the best cornerbacks in football. Both are best when playing on the outside.
Douglas has the size, play-style and tackling ability to make the transition. He’s excellent playing with his eyes on the quarterback and might be better suited for reading and reacting from a safety alignment. Last year, the Packers started Douglas out in the slot, but he eventually moved back outside after Stokes went down and Nixon played more inside.
The Packers want Nixon on the field more on defense in 2023, and the easiest path to accomplishing this personnel idea is giving Douglas a chance to play safety.
