Free agent wide receiver Jordy Nelson is looking for a new NFL home. After spending a decade with the Green Bay Packers and one season with the Oakland Raiders in 2018, Nelson is now searching for his third team in three years, which he could find as early as Tuesday.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Jordy Nelson will be visiting the Pacific Northwest as the Seahawks are gearing up to host the veteran receiver. General manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll would be very wise to not let Nelson leave Seattle without him becoming the newest member of the Seahawks.
Nelson may be 34 by the time the 2019 season kicks off, but he can still provide considerable value for a Seattle team in desperate need of finding a third option for quarterback Russell Wilson. Wide receivers Jaron Brown and David Moore had flashes of brilliance last year, but neither were reliably consistent.
This is where Nelson would be a tremendous signing for the Seahawks, as he has been nothing short of a reliable wide receiver his entire career. During his time in Green Bay he was unquestionably quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ go-to receiver as he compiled some truly lofty statistics. While Nelson may no longer be a player who consistently hauls in 80-90 receptions a year for 1,000+ yards or double-digit touchdowns, the good news is the Seahawks wouldn’t need him to be one.
Last year with the Raiders, Nelson at age 33 still logged 63 receptions for 739 yards. Considering his age and the immense dysfunction of the Raiders last year, these are not insignificant numbers. This shows Nelson is still more than capable of shouldering his own in the passing game.
With Doug Baldwin and Tyler Lockett the top two receivers for Seattle, all Nelson would have to be is a solid player who can help ensure the Seahawks passing attack won’t be stymied should Lockett or Baldwin be unable to get open.
The fact other contenders like New England and Kansas City are interested in Nelson shows others believe he still has more than enough gas left in the tank. Now the Seahawks have first crack at what could be an inexpensive opportunity to bolster their passing attack.
