Selected in the fourth round (107th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Buccaneers.
Has played in 92 regular season games, with 18 starts, recording 160 tackles (26 for loss), 42 quarterback hits, 18.5 sacks, five passes defensed, five forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. Also has 13 career special teams tackles.
Has played in 10 career postseason games, making two starts, and recording 13 tackles (one for loss), 1.0 sack and five quarterback hits. Also tallied two special teams tackles.
Tampa Bay's 2020 defense led the league in rushing yards allowed per game (80.6) and yards allowed per rush (3.60), while ranking sixth in yards allowed per play (5.12), sixth in yards allowed per game (327.1), ranking tied for second in tackles for loss (91), tied for fourth in sacks (48.0) and tied for fifth in takeaways (25).
Notched first career sack at Detroit (12/27/20).
Tallied first career forced fumble and pass defensed at Carolina (9/12/19).
Made first career start at Los Angeles Rams (9/29/19).
Made NFL debut in a reserve role vs. San Francisco (9/8/19).
Played 28-of-59 defensive snaps in the Week 1 victory over the Washington Commanders, finishing with two tackles.
Played 25 defensive snaps in the Week 2 win at Detroit, logging two tackles and a career-high-tying and team-high-tying three quarterback hits.
Played 25-of-68 defensive snaps in Week 3 vs. Denver. Also played 22 special teams snaps and recorded one special teams tackle.
In the Week 4 win over Philadelphia, played 23-of-57 defensive snaps and finished with four tackles (one for loss), 1.0 sack and one quarterback hit.
His sack in Week 4 marked his first of the season and increased his career total to 15.5.
According to Next Gen Stats, generated a team-high-tying four quarterback pressures in Week 4, logging a 44.4% pressure rate.
In Week 5 at Atlanta, played 43-of-87 defensive snaps and recorded one tackle (for loss), one quarterback hit and 1.0 sack.
Nelson's sack in Week 5 increased his season total to 2.0 and his career total to 16.5.
Played 21-of-70 defensive snaps in the Week 6 win at New Orleans, logging one tackle. Also added a team-high 32 special teams snaps, adding one more special teams tackle.
In Week 7 vs. Baltimore, played 36- of-59 defensive snaps and tallied two tackles.
Played 26-of-62 defensive snaps in Week 8 vs. Atlanta, totaling two tackles. Also added one special teams tackle.
In Week 9 at Kansas City, played 33- of-85 defensive snaps and logged two tackles (one for loss).
Played 33-of-64 defensive snaps in Week 10 vs. San Francisco, finishing with one tackle, one quarterback hit and one fumble recovery.
In the Week 12 win over the New York Giants, played 37-of-59 defensive snaps and recorded four tackles (two for loss), two quarterback hits and 1.0 sack.
Nelson's sack in Week 12 increased his season total to 3.0 and his career total to 17.5. x Started at outside linebacker in the Week 13 win at Carolina, playing 55- of-70 defensive snaps and recording six tackles, a career-high-tying three quarterback hits, and one forced fumble.
Nelson's forced fumble in Week 13 against Carolina came in overtime as Carolina was in field goal range for a potential game-winning kick. Tampa Bay recovered the fumble and drove down the field for the game-winning score on the ensuing possession. The forced fumble was his first of the season and the fifth of his career.
In the Week 13 win, Nelson was Tampa Bay's highest-graded defensive player according to Pro Football Focus. He earned a 77.6 overall defensive grade.
Started at outside linebacker and played 46-of-67 defensive snaps in the Week 14 win over Las Vegas, notching two tackles and one pass defensed.
In the Week 15 win over the L.A. Chargers, started at outside linebacker and tallied two tackles.
Started at outside linebacker in Week 16 at Dallas, playing 34-of-60 defensive snaps and recording one quarterback hit.
In the Week 17 win over Carolina, started at outside linebacker and played 31-of-47 defensive snaps. Totaled two tackles (one for loss), one quarterback hit and 1.0 sack. His sack pushed his season sack total to 4.0 – his highest since 2022 – and his career sack total to 18.5.
According to Next Gen Stats, Nelson generated a team-leading six pressures in Week 17.
In the Week 18 victory over New Orleans, started at linebacker and played 41-of-66 defensive snaps. Finished with three tackles.
Started at outside linebacker in the Wild Card round against Washington, playing 51-of-73 defensive snaps and recording five tackles.
Played in 37 games at Iowa (2015- 18), totaling 119 tackles (31 for loss), 23.0 sacks, seven passes defensed, four forced fumbles and one fumble recovery, which was recovered in the end zone for a touchdown.
Three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection
Posted 9.5 sacks as a redshirt junior (2018), tied for the second-most in the Big Ten and tied for the 17th-most in the FBS, while adding 45 tackles (13.5 for loss).
Named second-team All-Big-Ten by the league's media, while earning third-team honors from Phil Steele and the league's coaches.
In 2017, as a redshirt sophomore (2017), recorded 41 tackles (9.5 for loss), 7.5 sacks, four passes defensed, two forced fumbles and a blocked field goal, earning third-team All-Big Ten honors from the league's media and honorable mention from the league's coaches.
Played in all 13 games as a redshirt freshman (2016), registering 33 tackles (eight for loss), 7.0 sacks, two forced fumbles and a pass defensed.
Attended Waukee High School (Urbandale, Iowa), where he earned Class 4A Western Iowa Defensive Player of the Year as a senior.
Was named to the Des Moines Register Elite all-state team as a senior and first-team all-state by Iowa Newspaper.
Son of Christy and Jeff Nelson.
Father, Jeff, played football at Iowa.
In 2020, supported Special Olympics as part of the NFL's My Cause, My Cleats initiative.
In June 2019, rookies participated in Tampa's Police Department Citizen's Academy and visited MacDill's Air Force Base.
Nelson participated in the Linebackers Light Up the Holidays event as part of the 2019 holiday season, helping surprise a group of children with a shopping spree at Target.
