Cornerback Steven Nelson signed a three-year, $25.5 million contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The exact details of this deal are currently unknown, but the deal keeps him with the team until 2021. Nelson is going into his fifth NFL season after spending the first four with the Kansas City Chiefs.
The #Steelers and free agent CB Steven Nelson agreed to terms on a 3-year deal for $25.5M, source said. Pittsburgh is on the board.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 12, 2019
Steven Nelson Agrees to Deal With Pittsburgh Steelers
Nelson was one of the few valuable contributors on a bottom-tier Chiefs defense in 2018. He recorded his first four career interceptions and deflected 15 more, making it a career year for him as he finished his rookie contract.
Nelson doesn’t offer much in run-stopping ability, but he makes up for it with excellent coverage skills. He plays both man and zone defense well, and utilizes strong footwork and form in coverage. He’s a veteran who provides solid locker room presence and starting caliber corner play.
The Georgia native elected to go the junior college route after graduating from Northside High School in Warner Robins, Georgia. He played two years at College of the Sequoias in California, in which he recorded 71 tackles and six picks.
Nelson originally planned on transferring to the University of Georgia, but eventually changed his mind and landed at Oregon State University. He entered as the nickel corner, and had 64 tackles along with four interceptions his junior season. As a senior, and starting outside cornerback, Nelson picked off two passes and made 62 tackles.
Nelson accepted an invitation to play in the 2015 Senior Bowl. He played for then Tennessee Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt‘s North team, and recorded four tackles in a 34-13 win.
Despite his under-the-radar stock, Nelson received a third-round draft grade from NFL scouts. He displayed solid athleticism at Oregon State’s pro day, running a 4.46 40 yard dash. In the 2015 NFL draft, the Chiefs made him the 98th pick, at the back end of the third round.
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