Raiders Draft Prospect: DE Nelson Ceaser, Houston
The Las Vegas Raiders are in the offseason, but the work does not stop. The Raiders are evaluating prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft, looking for young talent to bolster their roster. Las Vegas was just outside the postseason picture in 2023, hoping to get there in 2024 with a revamped team. With a new regime and vivacious energy throughout the fanbase, the Raiders will be ready to welcome their next crop of young stars to the team in April. One of those players could be Houston defensive lineman Nelson Ceaser. A First-Team All-Big 12 member in 2023, Caesar had a
productive career with the Cougars. Ceaser finished his collegiate career with 101 total tackles, 27.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble, and 17 sacks. He spent a week in Mobile, Ala., and improved his draft stock at the Senior Bowl.
Ceaser is a unique watch on tape. He has good size at 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds, which is ideal for an edge rusher in the NFL. However, Ceaser can play more than just edge rusher or outside linebacker. Cougars Defensive Coordinator Doug Belk runs a unique scheme and used Ceaser in several different ways. This versatility should benefit him in the NFL.
He also played inside linebacker for the Cougars during the season and held his own. His size does not slow him down if he has to cover the middle of the field. His ideal projection in the NFL is likely as a defensive end with his hand in the dirt. Strength is the name of Ceaser’s game coming off the edge. He comes off the snap and uses his strength to overpower offensive linemen. He has strong hands and uses them efficiently to stab at his match-up. Because of his frame and play style, Ceaser projects to be a good run defender. He is big, tall, and wide, with long arms and a strong lower body.
