Former Wisconsin left tackle Jack Nelson signed his rookie contract with the Atlanta Falcons on Friday.
The Falcons selected the Stoughton, Wisconsin, native with the second pick of the seventh round (No. 218 overall) of last month’s draft. He was the first former Badger selected, going just 14 picks before safety Hunter Wohler (Indianapolis Colts).
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Nelson is off to the NFL after a terrific Wisconsin career that included 50 starts over the last four seasons (13 at right guard in 2021, then 37 at left tackle from 2022-24). He earned Big Ten honorable mention honors after both the 2021 and 2022 seasons. That production equaled his top-end recruiting billing as a five-star prospect in the class of 2020, when he joined the Badgers as the No. 26 player in the country.
Nelson’s clearest path to a roster spot on the Falcons is as the team’s backup or third-string left tackle. The team’s rookie minicamp, OTA period and training camp will be key to the Wisconsin product earning that role.
According to OverTheCap.com, Nelson’s draft slot (No. 218 overall) signs for an estimated $4.35 million, with a $152,000 signing bonus. That overall four-year total includes base salaries of $878,000 as a rookie, $1,043,000 in the second year, $1,158,000 in the third and $1,273,000 in the fourth. Of course, he’ll need to remain on the Falcons’ 53-man roster to see the contract’s full value.
Nelson and the rest of the Falcons’ draft class are currently participating in the team’s rookie camp. Up next are May and June OTAs, then mandatory minicamp (June 10-11). Preseason training camp starts in late July, leading into the 2025 NFL season.
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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin football Jack Nelson Falcons NFL rookie contract salary