Steven Nelson

A 3rd-round pick (98th overall) in the 2015 NFL Draft out of Oregon State; College of the Sequoias, Steven Nelson has built an NFL career since. He last played in 2024 with KC, a career spanning 10 NFL seasons. His 57.9 ScoutIndex Rating last season ranked in the 71st percentile among DEFs — solidly above average.

Size

5'11", 194#

College

Oregon State; College of the Sequoias

Draft

Rd 3, 98th overall (2015)

Seasons

2015–2024

2023 ScoutIndex Rating · DEF

Methodology

57.9

71th percentile among DEFs

17 games

Splash plays×0.15-0.52

Pass rush×0.3-0.69

Ball skills×0.25+2.34

Run defense×0.2-0.50

Availability×0.1+1.32

Career (regular season)

Season	Tm	SI	G
2023	HOU	57.9	17
2022	HOU	56.7	14
2021	PHI	49.8	15
2020	PIT	56	15
2019	PIT	49.8	15
2018	KC	66.5	16
2017	KC	56.5	8
2016	KC	63.2	15
2015	KC	33.2	6

Career profile

Across 9 NFL seasons on file, Steven Nelson has played in 121 regular-season games, playing for 4 teams: KC (2015–2018), PIT (2019–2020), PHI (2021), HOU (2022–2023).

By the ScoutIndex Rating, his best qualified season was 2018: a 66.5, in the 86th percentile among DEFs that year.

2023 splits

regular season

2023 game log

Wk	Opp	Line	Score
Postseason	CLE	—	—
Postseason	BAL	—	—
Week 1	BAL	—	64.8
Week 2	IND	—	50.1
Week 3	JAX	—	50.5
Week 4	PIT	—	66.8
Week 5	ATL	—	43.1
Week 6	NO	—	66
Week 8	CAR	—	40.5
Week 9	TB	—	41.7
Week 10	CIN	—	40.9
Week 11	ARI	—	47.6
Week 12	JAX	—	59.5
Week 13	DEN	—	50.5
Week 14	NYJ	—	40.9
Week 15	TEN	—	68.6
Week 16	CLE	—	42.7
Week 17	TEN	—	41.1
Week 18	IND	—	48.9

Steven Nelson — common questions

What position does Steven Nelson play?: Steven Nelson is listed as a CB.
Which teams has Steven Nelson played for?: In the seasons on file (1999 onward), Steven Nelson has played for KC (2015–2018), PIT (2019–2020), PHI (2021), HOU (2022–2023).
Where did Steven Nelson go to college?: Steven Nelson played college football at Oregon State; College of the Sequoias.
When was Steven Nelson drafted?: Steven Nelson was selected in round 3, 98th overall, of the 2015 NFL Draft.
How many touchdowns has Steven Nelson scored?: Steven Nelson has no rushing, receiving or passing touchdowns in the regular-season games on file.
What is Steven Nelson's ScoutIndex Rating?: Steven Nelson rated 57.9 for 2023, the 71st percentile among DEFs. Ratings run 0–99; about 60 is a league-average qualified starter.

Related players

Top teammates, last season on file

C.J. StroudQB · 2023
Nico CollinsWR · 2023
Devin SingletaryRB · 2023
Tank DellWR · 2023
Dalton SchultzTE · 2023
Noah BrownWR · 2023
Dameon PierceRB · 2023
Robert WoodsWR · 2023

Drafted in round 3, 2015

D'Joun SmithCB · pick 65
Jeremiah PoutasiG · pick 66
A.J. CannG · pick 67
Clive WalfordTE · pick 68
Tyler LockettWR · pick 69
Jaelen StrongWR · pick 70
Hroniss GrasuC · pick 71
Jamon BrownG · pick 72