With the 2019 NFL Draft in the books, we’re wrapping things up by offering player profiles on all the UDFAs signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers. The franchise’s history is strong with diamonds in the rough though in recent years, the classes have been weak. Hopefully this crop changes that trend.
#97 Chris Nelson/NT Texas – 6’0/7 298
The Good
– Big, sturdy frame, looks bigger than listed, with thick body and large lower half
– Decent arm length for his height (32 inches)
– Strength at the point of attack, difficult to move off his spot by base/drive blocks
– Flows well against zone schemes, works hard to secure and maintain his run fill
– Played in an odd front and “pro” defense, regularly asked to stunt/twist/contain
– Rarely but did drop into coverage
– Average first step but tested well metrically (32 inch vertical)
– Good motor and effort, will chase the ball laterally
– Regarded as a leader in the locker room
– Plus starting experience
The Bad
– Doesn’t always play to his strength and size
– Base tends to narrow, making him vulnerable to getting blown out of his gap by double-teams and base blocks
– Lacks hand use and can’t disengage as pass rusher or in the run game
– One-move pass rusher who stalls out pretty quickly
– Tends to drop his eyes off the ball
– Below average athlete despite his motor who tested terribly at his workout
– One-dimensional run stuffer
– Average production and struggled to get after the QB
Bio
– 29 career starts for the Longhorns
– Career stats: 109 tackles (15.