Packers’ Keisean Nixon named to NFLPA’s 2023 All-Pro team as kickoff returner
Green Bay Packers kickoff returner Keisean Nixon didn’t make the Pro Bowl, but he was the pick on at least one All-Pro team for 2023. The NFLPA’s second annual All-Pro team — voted on by only players — selected Nixon as the first-team kickoff returner.
Nixon was the only Packers player on the team.
Based on volume numbers alone, Nixon was an easy pick.
The 2022 AP All-Pro led the NFL in kickoff returns. His 30 returns were eight more than second place. He also led the NFL in kickoff return yardage. His 782 kickoff return yards were 271 more than second place. Among players with at least 10 kickoff returns, Nixon ranked fourth in average at 26.1 yards. His 51-yard kickoff return was the 10th longest in the NFL this season.
Four different players had a kickoff return for a touchdown, but Nixon wasn’t among them. The only player with at least 300 kickoff return yards and a touchdown was Broncos rookie Marvin Mims.
At Pro Football Focus, Nixon ranked sixth in kickoff return grade among players with at least 10 returns.
The 2023 AP All-Pro team will be released soon, possibly even this week. Can Nixon go back-to-back years as the official All-Pro returner?
One other note: the Cowboys, who will host the Packers on Sunday in the NFC Wild Card Round, had five NFLPA All-Pros: CeeDee Lamb, Tyler Smith, Zack Martin, DaRon Bland and Brandon Aubrey.
