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

2017 ScoutIndex Rating · DEF

Methodology

56.5

70th percentile among DEFs

8 games

Splash plays×0.15+1.10

Pass rush×0.3-0.31

Ball skills×0.25+0.54

Run defense×0.2+0.47

Availability×0.1-0.38

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.

2017 splits

regular season

2017 game log

Wk	Opp	Line	Score
Postseason	TEN	—	—
Week 8	DEN	—	47.7
Week 9	DAL	—	41.9
Week 11	NYG	—	55.6
Week 12	BUF	—	41.9
Week 13	NYJ	—	60.4
Week 14	LV	—	83
Week 15	LAC	—	41.9
Week 16	MIA	—	41.4

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