The Kansas City Chiefs are running thin on depth at the cornerback position, which is why they’ve brought back former draft pick Steven Nelson.
Nelson wasn’t the greatest corner on the Chiefs roster during his first four seasons in the league, but there’s reason to believe his reunion with Kansas City might be better this time around.
The Chiefs are suffering mightily in the defensive secondary after losing Jaylen Watson and Joshua Williams to injury. Kansas City tried Nazeeh Johnson on the opposite side of all-pro Trent McDuffie for part of the season. However, Johnson proved he still has more developing to do before he can be effective on an island.
In the Chiefs victory over the Chargers last Sunday, Kansas City eventually benched Johnson for rookie Keith Taylor, who spent the majority of this season on the practice squad. Now with four games left in the regular season, the Chiefs are scraping the bottom of the barrel for decent cornerback play.
Thus, is what led to the Chiefs reuniting with veteran Steven Nelson, who initially retired from the NFL following the 2023 season. Nelson wasn’t the greatest the last time he played for KC from 2015-2018. Although he averaged at least 45.5 tackles a season, he struggled while in coverage.
In his last two seasons in the league, however, Nelson generated 115 tackles and five interceptions. Pro Football Focus also gave him his highest grade since 2023. Nelson was the ninth-ranked corner in press coverage. His 71.9 grade was higher than L’Jarius Sneed, Denzel Ward, Pat Surtain II, and Jalen Ramsey.
Only Trey Brown, Jamel Dean, Isaac Yaidom, Charvarius Ward, Stephon Gilmore, Greg Newsome II, Joshua Williams, and Trent McDuffie graded higher.
Pro Football Focus wrote the following in 2023:
The veteran cornerback posted a 71.9 grade in 2023, his best since 2019 with the Steelers, and his performance in press coverage was a big reason why. Nelson earned a 72.9 grade in press coverage in 2023, allowing a target on just 22 of his 193 snaps — a ludicrously low 11.4%.
Nelson also went the entire 2023 season without giving up a touchdown in press coverage and allowed just a 55.5 passer rating, the lowest among those in this top 10.
Nelson was targeted 70 times last season and allowed 43 completions for 657 yards, a touchdown. The 31-year-old finished 2023 with 63 tackles and four interceptions.
Depending on what shape Nelson is in when he eventually takes the field, Kansas City should be getting a corner that is a sure tackler and excels in man-to-man coverage. He may not be the fastest at 31, but should be a serviceable stand-in for Kansas City’s depth at corner.
