49ers’ 2018 ‘Who Is?’ series: Long-snapper Kyle Nelson
By Peter Panacy
Long-snappers don’t get any love. But San Francisco 49ers veteran long-snapper Kyle Nelson sure does in Niner Noise’s latest “Who Is?” installment for the 2018 season.
Raise your hand if you’ve never heard San Francisco 49ers long-snapper Kyle Nelson‘s name before.
Using our spyware webcam technology, we see quite a few of you out there. You apparently didn’t even know Nelson has been on the Niners since 2014.
And that’s OK. Heck, it’s good.
The point is long-snappers — the special teams guys responsible for snapping the ball over greater distances than a center — are supposed to be unknown. They’re special teams aces only, sometimes doubling as extra linemen, tight ends or whatnot.
That’s the case with Nelson, who has seen some offensive snaps at tight end in preseasons. Heck, Nelson even got on the stat sheet with a fumble recovery (not his own fumble) last season:
Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 6/20/2018.
How about that.
Nelson’s recent tenure with San Francisco started in 2014 after bouncing around the league quite a bit (including two prior stints with the 49ers). He replaced former long-snapper Kevin McDermott, whom the team brought aboard as a cheaper option to long-time veteran Brian Jennings the previous year.
Signed through 2018 now, Nelson will likely be the lone player competing for this position. So what should we expect this upcoming season?
Why Kyle Nelson Improves in 2018
There isn’t exactly a lot of data out there on long-snappers. The only way to notably calculate a long-snapper’s value is to see whether or not he botched any snaps.
Nelson didn’t in 2017. And while it’s hard to quantify these efforts into a grading or ranking system, that’s about as perfect as it gets for the position.
For what it’s worth, Pro Football Focus gave Nelson a plus-1.0 overall special teams grade last year — the highest he’s ever received.
You go, Kyle.
Why He Regresses
Well, Nelson starts botching snaps. That would be a prime sign of regression, right?
This article describes all the intricate things a long-snapper needs to do well. Meanwhile, this one showcases why one mistake can be disastrous.
San Francisco 49ers
In a contract year, Nelson’s worst-case scenario would be a trend toward mishandling snaps. Some go years without botching a snap. Former Chicago Bears long-snapper Patrick Mannelly went 2,282 snaps without a single botch.
One wouldn’t be a cause for concern. Two or three, though? That’s where there might be some question marks.
Projected Role with the 49ers in 2018
Same as it was last season. Nelson will be tasked with snapping the ball on punts, field goals and extra-point attempts.
The Niners’ continuity on special teams underneath coordinator Richard Hightower is a bonus. And Nelson didn’t experience any difficulties there last season. And with a perfect 2017 record to boot, there’s not exactly any room for improvement during his contract year.
Just continued consistency.
It will be interesting to see if San Francisco offers to extend Nelson beyond this season. He could easily make well over $1 million in 2019, and perhaps the 49ers consider pinching some pennies after this upcoming year.
But that’s a question for another time. Meanwhile, let’s hope not to hear Nelson’s name called at all this season. Yet if you’re feeling some love for the un-loved long-snapper, go out and get a Nelson jersey while you can.
Next: Ranking the 49ers' top 10 special teamers of all time
He wears No. 86 by the way.