Nelson validates free-agent deal, eyes even better results this year

Don’t call Steven Nelson underappreciated, even though he thinks he is.

Sure, he doesn’t have the big interception numbers of other cornerbacks and even teammate Joe Haden. But that’s because quarterbacks stopped throwing much in his direction, probably since the middle of last season, according to Nelson.

Nelson was an important freeagent pickup before the 2019 season for the Steelers, who signed him to a three-year, $25.5 million deal — the largest contract they have awarded in free agency. But it is likely the Steelers didn’t realize how important.

The 5-foot-11, 190-pound

cornerback rewarded them with a season in which he didn’t have as many interceptions as his previous season — he had four with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2018 — but performed at a higher level that probably even surprised the coaches.

“We thought he would be good; we just weren’t sure how good because we were a different system than Kansas City,” said senior defensive assistant/ secondary coach Teryl Austin. “I thought he played really well.”

While Haden was fifth in the NFL in interceptions (5) and passes defensed (17), Nelson was quietly shutting down the other side of the field in 2019. He had only one interception and eight passes defensed, but his other numbers compare favorably, if not better, than other NFL cornerbacks who were Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections.

Nelson played 1,010 snaps and allowed only 37 catches on 72 targets for 491 yards, an average of 13.2 yards per reception. New England’s All-Pro cornerback Stephon Gilmore, the league’s defensive player of the year, was targeted more frequently (71 on 955 snaps), allowed more receptions (49) and more yards per catch (16.5). Nelson, Gilmore and Buffalo’s Tre’Davious White were the only cornerbacks who did not allow a touchdown in 2019.

“I definitely feel like I’m underrated; I think a lot of people feel that way, as well,” Nelson said Tuesday on a Zoom call. “One of my goals this year is to be recognized as one of better corners in the league.”

It might be tough for Nelson to get that recognition in a secondary that includes Haden, a Pro Bowl pick last season, and All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. But opposing quarterbacks took notice of him last season, rarely attacking his side because of his tight coverage.

Haden even went so far to refer to Nelson as the team’s “lockdown corner,” a monicker that doesn’t get batted around frequently in the NFL.

“I did kind of notice that, probably in the middle of the year, that I wasn’t getting as many targets,” Nelson said. “If I did get a target, I felt it was an opportunity for me to get the ball. This year, I hope that changes.”

Said Austin: “I think both our corners played really well. It wasn’t like, ‘OK, there’s this one really good corner and we’ll go at this other guy.’ There just wasn’t a lot of work for either of them. Some of it was circumstance, some it was, ‘Let’s try to attack a littler lower, maybe more in the seams, and stop throwing at the corners.’ ”

When asked if he considered Nelson a lockdown corner, Austin said: “It’s hard to say you’re a shutdown guy because there aren’t many of them. But I know this — he’s a very, very good corner and I’m glad he’s on our team.”

The Steelers were one of only four teams who are allowed fewer than 200 yards passing per game (194.6), and their 20 interceptions ranked second only to the Patriots (25). They ranked fourth in opponent’s passer rating (79.7) and tied for fifth in fewest passes of 40-plus yards (6).

But Nelson thinks the Steelers can be even better this season … if there is a season.

That’s because he, Fitzpatrick and inside linebacker Devin Bush were all in their first year with the Steelers. That led to some confusion and communication problems with the defense, especially early in the season.

“I think one of the things we can always improve on is the communication,” Nelson said. “We lacked that a little bit last year, even though we had great numbers and had a successful defense in some people’s eyes. I say we can always improve communication.

“It’s very key to being a great defense.”