Can Seattle Seahawks UDFA Nelson Ceaser Make 53-Man Roster?

University of Houston linebacker Nelson Ceaser signed with the Seattle Seahawks after he wasn't chosen in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Jeremy Brener | Aug 2, 2024

Feb 28, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Houston defensive lineman Nelson Ceaser (DL30) talks to the media at the 2024 NFL Combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports / Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

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Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker Nelson Ceaser was surprised when he wasn't taken in the 2024 NFL Draft. However, he may have landed in a favorable spot to make the 53-man roster with the Seahawks.

Bleacher Report writer Alex Ballentine believes Ceaser is the most likely undrafted free agent in Seattle to make the 53-man roster.

"Ceaser had great production as a pass-rusher at Houston. He's a bit undersized, but he had 9.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss in his final season with the Cougars. He finished his collegiate career with 18 sacks in total," Ballentine writes. "Ceasar doesn't bring much to the table as a run-defender. B/R's Matt Holder projected him as a pass-rush specialist while giving him a fourth-round grade. The Seahawks have a decent trio of edge rushers in Boye Mafe, Uchenna Nwosu and Darrell Taylor, but with everyone learning a new system, Ceaser will be on equal footing with other depth competition."

Ceaser has some work to do during training camp competing alongside veterans, but the team didn't draft another outside linebacker or a defensive end, which could help his chances in making the roster. Ballentine also neglects to acknowledge former second-round pick Derick Hall, out of Auburn, is entering his second season in Seattle and has performed well in training camp.

If Ceaser can make a splash on special teams, that would significantly improve his chances of making the roster, but the likelihood remains slim.

Ceaser will get a decent opportunity to showcase what he has learned and continue to build his case for a spot on the 53-man roster in the Seahawks preseason opener next Saturday against the Los Angeles Chargers. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. PT from Lumen Field.

Published Aug 2, 2024

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.