‘Nelson Island’: Are Texans Overrating New CB?

 Veteran cornerback Steven Nelson was one of several players who opted not to participate in voluntary OTAs. His absence at the Houston Methodist Training Center created a slight disturbance. 

KPRC was the first to report that Nelson's decision to skip OTAs was due to his yearning for an extension with the Houston Texans. The speculations surrounding his absence grew after Nelson hired Athletes First's David Mulugheta, who represents several of the NFL's top defensive backs. 

If he fails to land an extension before the start of training camp, Nelson will enter the 2023 campaign playing on the final year of his team-friendly contract worth $5.6 million.

Nelson deserves an extension. He finished the 2022 campaign registering 52 tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack, one forced fumble, one interception and seven pass deflections in 15 games, which helped him surpass the modest expectations within his first season in Houston.

According to Pro Football Focus, Nelson finished the previous season as a top 50 player at his position (No. 40). 

Bleacher Report believes Nelson's on-field productivity is worth an extension before the upcoming season. But his value to coach DeMeco Ryans and defensive coordinator Matt Burke will play a significant role in the possibility of landing a new contract.

But there is another underlining matter that could interfere with the possibility of Nelson receiving a new deal. The Texans signed cornerback Shaquill Griffin 10 days before the start of OTAs. And following the results of mandatory minicamp, Griffin's arrival may have made Nelson expendable. 

"It remains to be seen how Nelson operates under new head coach DeMeco Ryans and defensive coordinator Matt Burke. However, extending Nelson now would ensure that Houston keeps a quality veteran leader on its defense for the foreseeable future." — per Bleacher Report.

Ryans said no player has a starting job at the moment. But it is safe to assume that the lineups he used during practice gave a glimpse into which players could see the field over their contemporaries at each position. 

Nelson was in attendance during minicamp. But each time the Texans held two-minute drills or 11-on-11 play, he watched from the sidelines as Griffin took the majority of first-team reps.

Observing while a potential successor takes the field with the starting unit is not an ideal recipe for a player seeking a pay raise. 

In addition to his play, Nelson could also lean on the importance of his voice as leverage. He has been a prominent mentor to the Texans' young corps since last spring. But Griffin has already established himself as a team leader.

With the information he received as a rookie from the Legion of Boom with the Seattle Seahawks in 2017, the 27-year-old defensive back has begun sharing advice to help with the ongoing development of Houston's young defense.

Griffin signed a one-year deal to join the Texans as a free agent on May 13. He is determined to return to his Pro Bowl form following an injury-plagued season in 2022. 

"I feel like that’s just something, a legacy that you continue to pass on," Griffin said. "If you have knowledge, give it. I know what type of caliber of player I am, and I know what I’ve been through. I’m here now to earn my name, earn this voice, to be able to be that voice for this team, for these guys, I have to earn it first, and that’s the part where I’m at right now."

The Texans recently awarded defensive lineman Maliek Collins a contract extension worth up to $23 million. Collins was the first player to receive an extension following mandatory minicamp. But he will not be the last player to receive a pay raise before the team returns to NRG Stadium for training camp in July. 

Nelson and his new agent will wait patiently to hear from the Texans during their month-long break. But if Houston decides to hold off on playing Nelson, the Texans may be one cornerback short at the start of training camp, similar to their three-week period of OTAs.