Nelms was rated the 41st best
free safety in the
2011 NFL draft by NFLDraftScout.com. He signed with the
San Francisco 49ers on July 27, 2011 after going undrafted. He was released by the 49ers on September 3 and signed to the team's practice squad on September 4, 2011. He was signed to a futures contract by the 49ers on January 24, 2012. Nelms was released by the 49ers on August 27, 2012. On November 19, 2012, Nelms was signed to the practice squad of the
Oakland Raiders. He was promoted to the active roster on December 28, 2012. He was released by the Raiders on August 25, 2013. ==Post-playing career==