Reggie

Nelson

A Tuesday morning report had Nelson likely to sign a contract during the visit, but nothing materialized. “Where it stands at this point would be a guess,” wrote beat reporter Jerry McDonald. Nelson tied for the NFL lead in interceptions (8) last season and is by-far the best safety left on the market.

The Raiders have a woefully thin safety corps. Nelson is going on 33, but remained one of the league’s better center fielders for the Bengals last season. It’s his first known visit in free agency, though he’s “touched base” with the Titans.

Nelson dined with DC Ken Norton and DBs coach Marcus Robertson Monday night, and he is expected in for a physical Tuesday. Nelson’s age -- 33 in September -- torpedoed his market, but he remained one of the better free safeties in the league last season. He will be yet another good addition for an organization quietly building one of the better rosters in football. Oakland should be a trendy playoff pick this season.

Nelson was a Pro Bowler for the Raiders in 2016 but was graded as PFF’s No. 78 safety in coverage last season. But Nelson’s first Pro Bowl in 2015 coincidently overlapped with new Raiders DC Paul Guenther’s final season in Cincinnati. It’s possible Nelson, going on 35, sees a resurgence in Guenther’s system.

Nelson and Melvin are both healthy scratches while Osemele is out with a knee injury. With Nelson benched, look for Erik Harris to fill in at strong safety. CB Daryl Worley (ankle) is active for Oakland.

It ends a midling year for Nelson, who finishes with 29 tackles and two picks. Nelson had been relegated to a backup role over the last few weeks, starting just 7-of-11 games. An impending free agent, 35-year-old Nelson could decide to call it quits this offseason.

Nelson was easily the top safety remaining after leading the NFL in interceptions last year. It’s an impact signing for an Oakland secondary that ranked in the bottom-half of the league. Nelson will replace Charles Woodson’s role as a ballhawking safety in DC Ken Norton’s scheme. His presence should allow T.J. Carrie to remain at corner.

We wouldn’t be so sure that Nelson gets away from Cincinnati. The Bengals have plenty of room under the cap and have identified Nelson as a top priority after a career year in 2011.

Now that Brandon Meriweather has landed with the Redskins, Nelson appears to be the Jets’ top target at safety. Although the team is also interested in LaRon Landry, Nelson is a better fit in deep coverage.

The Cincinnati Enquirer expects the Titans and Dolphins both to target Nelson if he hits the open market. At this point, it seems likely that he will. The Bengals opted to use the franchise tag on free agent K Mike Nugent over Nelson.