After marching through the top 10 defensive players in 2018 the past couple of weeks, CUSportsNation.com now looks at the top 10 offensive players. The ranking is according to the analytics/grades according to Pro Football Focus. Wide receiver KD Nixon lands at No. 4 after a strong sophomore season.
Note: Players needed to have seen 100 snaps in order to be on this list... 19 Buff offensive players saw 100+ snaps
2018 STATS
11 games played
52 receptions (targeted 73 times)
636 yards (307 yards after catch)
4 touchdowns
3 dropped passes
10 avoided tackles
NIXON VS THE PAC-12
Here is how Nixon's offensive grades and advanced statistics stack up to other wide receivers in the Pac-12 that had a minimum of 30 targets (48 WRs qualify for this).
Season grade: No. 19
Receiving grade: No. 15
Drop grade: No. 19
Fumble grade: No. 43
Yards after catch: No. 9
Avoided tackles: No. 6
% of targets caught: No. 12
TOP GAME OF THE SEASON
Nixon's top game of the 2018 season was a game that Colorado fans want to forget. Against Oregon State, Nixon graded at 80.3 and caught 13 passes on 15 targets for 198 yards and two touchdowns in the unfortunate loss to the Beavers. Eight of Nixon's receptions went for Colorado first downs as he had a breakout game.
OUTLOOK ON NIXON
Nixon is primed for another strong season and should be the No. 1 target for Steven Montez during spring practices as Laviska Shenault recovers from injury. It was surprising to see Nixon start at the outside receiver spot last season given that he's not a very tall receiver, but Nixon made the most of his opportunity. With a new offensive coordinator, will Nixon move to the slot? No matter where Nixon lines up though, he's a threat to go the distance.
Top Buff Offensive Players in 2018
No. 10 Tony Brown (60.2 grade)
No. 9 Colby Pursell (60.9 grade)
No. 8 Aaron Haigler (62.7 grade)
No. 7 Josh Kaiser (63.5 grade)
No. 6 Juwann Winfree (67.7 grade)
No. 5 William Sherman (70.0 grade)
Top Buff Defenders in 2018
No. 10 Rick Gamboa (65.8 grade)
No. 9 Derrion Rakestraw (70.5 grade)
No. 8 Evan Worthington (71.9 grade)
No. 7 Israel Antwine (72.3 grade)
No. 6 Delrick Abrams Jr. (72.5 grade)
No. 5 Davion Taylor (74.1 grade)
No. 4 Drew Lewis (74.7 grade)
No. 3 Javier Edwards (76.9 grade)
No. 2 Mustafa Johnson (82.7 grade)
No. 1 Nate Landman (86.1 grade)
