J.J. Nelson

J.J. Nelson

31-Year-Old Wide ReceiverWR
 Free Agent  
2023 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for J.J. Nelson in 2023. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
$Released by the Colts in November of 2021.
Works out for Buffalo
WRFree Agent
November 27, 2022
Nelson (groin) took part in a tryout with the Bills on Saturday, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Nelson's ability to complete a workout for the Bills implies that he's made a full recovery from the groin issue that resulted in him opening the season on the Colts' injured reserve list before he was waived Nov. 1 on an injury settlement. He could be a candidate to join the Bills' or another team's practice squad now that he's healthy.
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NFL Stats
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Fantasy/Red Zone Stats
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2021
2019
2018
2017
2016
2021 NFL Game Log
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2019 NFL Game Log
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2018 NFL Game Log
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2017 NFL Game Log
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2016 NFL Game Log
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Receiving Alignment Breakdown
See where J.J. Nelson lined up on the field and how he performed at each spot.
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2023 J.J. Nelson Split Stats
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Measurables Review View College Player Page
How do J.J. Nelson's measurables compare to other wide receivers?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
Height
5' 10"
 
Weight
160 lbs
 
40-Yard Dash
4.28 sec
 
Shuttle Time
4.15 sec
 
Cone Drill
7.02 sec
 
Vertical Jump
36.0 in
 
Broad Jump
127 in
 
Hand Length
8.25 in
 
Arm Length
31.13 in
 
Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring J.J. Nelson See More
Dynasty Watch: Pre-Combine WR Rankings
February 19, 2023
Jordan Addison might not generate as much hype as recent WR1 selections, but the Pittsburgh-USC star is still a strong WR1 prospect in his own right.
Dynasty Watch: Rookie Top 75
May 5, 2021
Travis Etienne probably can't catch fellow first-round running back Najee Harris in redraft rankings, but in dynasty leagues it's a very different question.
Training Camp Notes: Sept. 3
Training Camp Notes: Sept. 3
September 3, 2020
September 3, 2020
With Damien Harris (finger) highly questionable for Week 1, the Patriots backfield might be due for some more reshuffling yet.
Training Camp Notes: August 28
August 28, 2020
With D'Andre Swift struggling with a leg injury, the Lions are increasingly likely to turn to Kerryon Johnson as their lead runner for a fast-approaching Week 1.
Training Camp Notes: August 19
August 19, 2020
Breshad Perriman has done well early with the Jets, and the spotlight is all his with injured prospects Denzel Mims and Vyncint Smith currently out.
Latest Fantasy Rumors
Option for Buffalo?
WRFree Agent
December 29, 2020
The Bills hosted Nelson for a visit Sunday, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.
ANALYSIS
Nelson has seen most of his career success as a seldom-targeted deep threat, so even if he were to ink with the Bills, his fantasy upside might be limited. That said, he could still be an asset as Josh Allen could certainly take advantage of his speed on long routes.
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
Combining his 2016 and 2017 campaigns, Nelson racked up 1,076 receiving yards and eight touchdowns on 63 catches in 31 games before Arizona's collective offensive struggles in 2018 proved especially detrimental to Nelson's big-play upside. Although he appeared in 14 games last season, Nelson logged more than 25 offensive snaps in just one game en route to seven receptions for 64 yards on 19 targets. He'll be welcomed in Oakland on a one-year, prove-it deal as the Raiders have overhauled their wide receiver corps by adding a slew of newcomers such as Antonio Brown, Tyrell Williams and Ryan Grant in addition to rookie Hunter Renfrow.
With a contract year dangling like a carrot in front of him, Nelson may finally put together his immense gifts and have a true breakout season. Boasting 4.28 speed from the 2015 combine, his field-stretching ability has translated to 22 receptions of 20 or more yards in 42 career appearances. Moreover, he's posted back-to-back 500-yard seasons and has a seven-touchdown campaign (2016) on his resume. While his catch rate has also improved each year, Nelson managed to haul in just 47.5 percent of his 61 targets in 2017. Making matters worse, he's among the smallest players in the league at 5-10 and 160 pounds. The Cardinals' passing attack in the coming season will be dominated by the ever-reliable Larry Fitzgerald and elite receiving back David Johnson. Beyond the duo, Nelson is the best bet to take the top off defenses, but the presence of 2018 second-round selection Christian Kirk is a barrier to Nelson getting consistent work on short and intermediate routes.
Nelson's job is to stretch the field, and that he did last year with 16.7 YPC, four catches of 40-plus yards and six touchdowns on only 74 targets. Nelson added a 56-yard rushing TD for good measure in Week 14. At 5-10, 156, Nelson might be the NFL's lightest player, but he's also on the short list for its fastest with 4.28 40 speed. He'll never be a red-zone threat no matter how thinned out the depth chart is, so any damage he does will have to be from long range, and that will make his week-to-week performance more erratic than WRs who catch short throws. With Larry Fitzgerald turning 34 in August, Michael Floyd gone, John Brown recovering from an illness-driven down year and no tight ends of which to speak, Nelson could see more opportunities in 2017, though his slight frame means he'll likely never be a high-volume receiver.
As a rookie last season, Nelson recorded 11 receptions for 299 yards and two touchdowns in 11 games. The 24-year-old could experience an increase in production in 2016, but in a receiving corps loaded with talent -- namely Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd, and John Brown -- it will be tough for Nelson to receive enough reps to make him a consistent fantasy contributor. Nonetheless, in a Cardinals offense under the playcalling of head coach Bruce Arians, Nelson will surely be utilized as a deep threat due to his burner status.
A fifth-round selection of the 2015 NFL Draft, Nelson enters the professional ranks as one of the smallest (5-foot-10, 156 pounds) players in the league, which will likely hurt his chances to contribute in a loaded Cardinals wide receiver corps that includes a player, John Brown, of similar stature (5-foot-11, 179 pounds). Nelson offsets his diminutive frame with noted speed, namely a 4.28 40-yard dash from the combine, meaning he'll likely be considered as a return specialist to start his career. In addition to 19.6 YPC and 20 touchdown receptions during four seasons at UAB, he blazed a trail in the return game, dashing for 25.4 yards per kickoff return and taking five such returns to the house.
More Fantasy News
Parts ways with Indy
WRFree Agent
Groin
November 1, 2021
Nelson (groin) was waived off injured reserve by the Colts on Monday, Aaron Wilson of Sportstalk 790 Houston reports.
ANALYSIS
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Shifts to IR
WRIndianapolis Colts
Groin
August 6, 2021
The Colts placed Nelson (groin) on injured reserve Friday.
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Signs with Indy
WRIndianapolis Colts
February 1, 2021
Nelson has signed a reserve/future contract with the Colts.
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Quick exit from practice squad
WRFree Agent
January 4, 2021
Nelson, who was signed to Buffalo's practice squad Friday, was let go Monday, Dante Lasting of the Bills' official site reports.
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Heading to Buffalo
WRFree Agent
January 1, 2021
Nelson (knee) signed with the Bills' practice squad Friday.
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