Veteran Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Steven Nelson‘s one-year stint on Broad Street has paid off. Nelson, who served as the No. 2 cornerback opposite Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay last year, played well enough that those in league circles believe he should be able to push for a bigger deal in the 2022 NFL free agency period than he did last offseason.
Steven Nelson’s free agent outlook
Speaking with a handful of league sources, the general feeling is that Nelson will eclipse the $4 million he made in 2021. Nelson is Pro Football Network lead analyst Dalton Miller’s sixth-ranked free agent cornerback and his 44th overall impending free agent.
Nelson is set to enter a relatively strong cornerback free agent class. But the need for the position is still pretty strong around the league. He could be a veteran stop-gap starter for a team with plenty of cap space and playoff upside.
Nelson could also be an option for the Eagles. They could try to re-sign him as they look to develop a handful of young cornerbacks that the team acquired last season. Outside of Slay and Avonte Maddox, the Eagles still lack proven players at cornerback. But, the team did acquire Josiah Scott, Tay Gowan, Zech McPhearson, Mac McCain, and Kary Vincent Jr. to develop for the future.
Nelson improved his stock
The Eagles signed Nelson to a one-year, $4 million deal just before training camp in July last offseason. The Pittsburgh Steelers cut Nelson last March as a cap casualty. He waited out his free agent market until right before camp started, ultimately choosing the Eagles.
The Eagles brought in Nelson because their secondary lacked experience opposite Slay. Also, with Nelson in the mix, Philadelphia was able to move former outside cornerback Maddox into the nickel spot. He thrived and earned an extension. While Slay earned a Pro Bowl nod and Maddox got paid, Nelson quietly put together a solid season under defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon and defensive backs coach Dennard Wilson.
Nelson produced 50 tackles, 7 pass breakups, and an interception in 16 games with the Eagles.
