The 2024 NFL Draft is a wrap and many undrafted free agents are still trying to find a home in the league. Many have already signed with teams over the last few days. Others have received invites to rookie camps with various teams in hopes to prove themselves and earn a contract.
One of the most talented undrafted free agents signed this week that stands out more than most is Nelson Ceaser, EDGE Houston. General manager John Schneider and the Seahawks signed him immediately following the draft to a deal with a $10,000 signing bonus and $100,000 more guaranteed.
Nelson Ceaser, EDGE Houston
In an era where it is far too easy to transfer when you're a talented edge rusher, Nelson Ceaser decided to stick it out for five years at Houston. The 6'3, 254-pound edge rusher fresh off a season with 10 sacks averaged a pass rush pressure rate near 13% for his entire career, consistently proving to be a disruptive force off the edge every single season.
And although Ceaser played a slightly weaker schedule throughout his college career he quite often had his best games against top competition. Last season he racked up 20 of his pressures and 6 of his sacks against Big 12 competition. The season before, he tallied nine pressures in one game against an 11-3 UTSA team.
He didn't blow anyone away this spring at the NFL Combine, posting a 49th percentile A to Z Sports Athletic Composite Score, but he certainly impressed at the Senior Bowl before that.
Nelson Ceaser's fit with the Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks have a handful of edge rushers with great raw physical traits and ability, but Boye Mafe was the only one last season who pressured opposing quarterbacks on even 10% of his pass rush attempts. The Seahawks fooled around with a rotation of five different edge rushers a year ago, but not one could consistently bring pressure outside of Mafe.
Nelson Ceaser could easily break into the rotation for the Seahawks this fall given their dire need for extra pressures off the edge. Ceaser likely opens training camp splitting reps with the third team as the team's number five or six pass rusher, but could certainly rise quickly if he flashes his talents this summer. There's a real possibility he works his way into the third edge defender role by season's end given his consistent and proven pass rush skills.
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And if you want to check out some Nelson Ceasear highlights to see how he might fit with the Seattle Seahawks you can do so in the video below!
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