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Sorry for the length here.
The nickel, at its most simple form is when you have your base defense but you swap out a LB for a DB. Initially that was a change defensive coordinators made in response to offenses scheming a WR on a LB on third downs in 3 receiver sets, which is advantage offense.
Defensive coordinators started taking the LB out and putting in the DB to counter that in passing situations.
That is how you are still viewing the nickel back, I believe.
That’s how the nickel was for years. Offensive coordinators can, of course, put in 3 WR’s on first down and then run the ball, which wasn’t the strong suit of the slot corner.
So the nickel in the game typically means the offense has an advantage running the ball in that situation. The LB in instead of the nickel corner means the offense has the advantage in the passing game.
What today’s NFL defensive coordinators now want in today’s game is a nickel who can cover the receiver and is stout enough to be like the LB against the run, and is good enough and instinctive enough to find his way to the QB on a blitz. A guy that is always in the game, not just in response to 11 personnel.
That is downs.
The nickel that comes in can play anywhere in the second or third level and do whatever the DC wants him to do. By having a nickel that is almost always on the field that can play the role of a LB or DB, the offense no longer has the advantage of running against a light box or passing against a slow LB.
That is what Parker wants from Downs.
With two safeties in, two corners in, and Caleb Downs, the secondary will be able to disguise what they’re trying to do and will help take away the inherent advantage that 3 receivers has given offenses for years. The offense can’t run against light defenses and pass against heavy defenses as easily as they used to.
Parker can play Caleb up near the line, can blitz him, or have him drop in deep coverage right before the snap. It’s all about disguising what Parker’s trying to do because he will be leaving the same guys in. There will be less substitutions. Offenses won’t know what the defense is trying to do because Parker will show one look and then flip it to another just as the play clock is running out. All with the same personnel.
That’s why Parker said his nickel needs to be able to play the pass, tackle like a LB, and pass rush like an edge.
Having a guy that can do all of that is infinitely more valuable to a defense than just a safety. Downs will be weapon for Parker and will be well worth where he was taken in the draft.
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