Safety Reggie Nelson will be joining the Oakland Raiders on a two-year deal. This is according to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter who first reported on the news. Nelson began his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars and spent the last six seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Raiders are giving former Bengals safety Reggie Nelson a two-year deal.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 6, 2016
Reggie Nelson To Sign with Oakland Raiders
Reggie Nelson started all 16 games in 2015, compiling 77 tackles and eight interceptions, earning him his first trip to the Pro Bowl. Tasked with being the last line of defense for a stacked Bengals unit, Reggie Nelson utilized outstanding range and a nose for the football to turn in his best season yet at age 32. The 2016 NFL Draft is scarce on top-tier safety prospects, so his market was better than it usually would be for a safety of his age.
After beginning his career with a disastrous tenure as a first-round pick with the Jacksonville Jaguars, in 2010 Reggie Nelson was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals for cornerback David Jones (remember him? Neither do I). The change of scenery led to a career revival for Nelson, as he has been a full-time starter for Marvin Lewis and the Bengals since 2011. As a veteran still in his prime, Reggie Nelson is able to fit into any scheme with ease, able to play center field safety or in the box.
Reggie Nelson was born and raised in Melbourne, Florida where he was named to the “All-Century Team” in high school. After spending his freshman season at Coffeyville Community College in Kansas, he went on to star at the University of Florida. He played in two seasons for the Gators, racking up 97 total tackles and seven interceptions in 25 games. In his final collegiate season, he was a consensus All-American and he was third in the SEC in terms of interceptions. The Jacksonville Jaguars drafted him with the 21st overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft.
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