Report: Bills among teams with interest in CB Steve Nelson
A report on Wednesday indicates that the Bills are still thinking about in bringing another player to battle for playing time at their No. 2 cornerback position on defense.
Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, nearly half of the NFL has approached free-agent corner Steve Nelson. The Bills were one of the few that were mentioned by name in regards to teams that are interested in his services:
Cornerback Steven Nelson’s market has been strong since becoming a free agent. Nelson has interest and has heard from 14 teams including #Texans #Bears #Eagles #Bengals and #Bills, per source. He continues to be patient waiting for right fit and opportunity.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) May 12, 2021
Currently, Levi Wallace and Dane Jackson are set to duke it out in that No. 2 training camp battle as of now. Rookie sixth-round pick Rachad Wildgoose could factor in, but he also might be better suited to trying to find playing time at the nickel spot.
In Nelson, the Bills are reportedly interested in a player that was graded a 67.1 overall by Pro Football Focus in 2020. The would rank as the football analytics outlet’s 40th best cornerback in the NFL last season.
Last month, the 28-year-old was released by the Steelers in April. Steelers Wire reported that the move was a salary cap move and not based off Nelson’s play.
At this point in the offseason, it’s hard to envision the Bills finding a better 1-2 option on the outside of their defense than Nelson and Tre’Davious White. However, Wallace has had his own moments of solid play.
Wallace, who has factored in as Buffalo’s No. 2 cornerback at times throughout the past few seasons was named PFF’s 34th best cornerback in the league in 2020. Considering that, the Bills could be in a win-win scenario here by rolling with either Nelson or Wallace.
Many observers of the Bills will be quick to point out that Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott will not be shy about potentially adding further competition to his training camp roster though, so Nelson could certainly be in play for the Bills.
