John Nestor CB Minnesota |
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| Jersey: #17 ROLE: Outside Zone CB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 11/03/2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2027 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FORTY time: 4.55 seconds (29%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 21.5 DOB: 05/13/2005 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Jersey: #17 | |
| ROLE: Outside Zone CB | |
| Last Updated: 11/03/2026 | |
| Draft Year: 2027 | |
| Forty time: 4.55 seconds (29%*) | |
| Age: 21.5 DOB: 05/13/2005 | |
| Overall Rating: |
84.5 / 100
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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73% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 56.9 | |
| Tackling: |
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71% |
| Run Defense: |
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93% |
| Coverage: |
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94% |
| Zone: |
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91% |
| Man/Press: |
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90% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
4th
Overall Rank:
#117
Position rank:
#26 (DB)
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| College Games: 24 College Snaps: 1182 | ||
ESPN RATING: 77/100
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247 RATING: 89/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.6 (92%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Kool-Aid McKinstry - Alabama |
|
82% |
| JoJo Domann - Nebraska |
|
80% |
| Coby Bryant - Cincinnati |
|
77% |
Draft Profile: Bio
John Nestor grew up in Chicago and played at Marist High School, where he lined up at safety, cornerback and receiver and also played basketball. As a senior captain he made 52 tackles, five interceptions, 10 pass breakups and three forced fumbles, and he was the CCL Blue defensive player of the year and a first-team all-state pick. His father, John, played safety at Miami (Ohio).Nestor played in 20 games over two seasons at Iowa, mostly on special teams, winning the team's hustle award in both 2023 and 2024. He transferred to Minnesota in April 2025 and became one of the Big Ten's top ballhawks, tying for the conference lead with six interceptions. He had two interceptions, including a 29-yard pick-six, in the 66-0 win over Northwestern State, and he missed the Nebraska and Northwestern games. In the 17-7 win over Wisconsin he made nine tackles, two tackles for loss, two interceptions and a fumble recovery, the first FBS player since 1995 with that combination, and was named Big Ten defensive player of the week and Bednarik national player of the week. He added an interception in the Rate Bowl win over New Mexico as Minnesota finished 8-5.
Nestor announced in December 2025 that he would return for 2026. He intercepted a pass at Washington and forced a fumble against Iowa, and he has allowed 15 catches for 98 yards on 29 targets in eight games.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Tied for the Big Ten lead with six interceptions in 2025
- Allowed 15 catches for 98 yards on 29 targets this season
- Big, physical frame with the toughness of a safety in run support
- Historic game against Wisconsin, with two interceptions and a fumble recovery
- Forced a fumble against Iowa this season, adding to his takeaways
- Special teams background from two seasons at Iowa
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Below-average timed speed limits his recovery on deep routes
- Missed six tackles this season and nine in 2025
- Gave up four touchdowns in coverage during the 2025 season
- Injuries cost him the Nebraska and Northwestern games in 2025
Scouting Report: Summary
Nestor is a big, physical defensive back whose ball skills made him one of the Big Ten's top playmakers in 2025. He tied for the conference lead with six interceptions, returned one for a touchdown and had a historic game against Wisconsin, with nine tackles, two tackles for loss, two interceptions and a fumble recovery, which earned him national player of the week honors. He also intercepted a pass in the Rate Bowl win over New Mexico. He was also part of a Minnesota team that finished 8-5 in his first season there.His 2026 season has been efficient. He has allowed only 15 catches for 98 yards on 29 targets, he intercepted a pass at Washington and he forced a fumble against Iowa. He reads the quarterback's eyes and drives on throws, and his background as a safety and receiver in high school shows in his ball skills. He also brings special teams value from two seasons at Iowa, where he won the team's hustle award twice.
However, his movement skills are the biggest question for an NFL corner. His timed speed is below average, which limits his recovery when receivers get a step on deep routes, and many teams may see him as a safety. He allowed four touchdowns in 2025, missed nine tackles that season and has missed six this year, and he missed two games with injuries in 2025. He also has only two seasons as a defensive starter. A move to safety could also make better use of his size and instincts.
Overall, Nestor is an instinctive, ball-hawking defensive back whose size and production give him a clear NFL role, most likely at safety or in a zone-heavy scheme. He projects as a fourth-round defensive back with the ceiling of a starting safety and the floor of a special teams contributor. His ball skills and toughness should make him an easy fit in a defensive back room.
How other scouting services rate John Nestor (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
120.5
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
33.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.