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2003 NFL Draft · Rd 2, Pick 18 · #50 overall

Bruce Nelson Iowa Draft

Bruce Nelson was drafted No. 50 overall by the Carolina Panthers in the 2003 NFL Draft out of Iowa. 15 regular-season games · 2 career approximate value

Overall pick
#50
Round
2
Draft class
2003
NFL games
15
Career AV
299th at Iowa

The pick

How Bruce Nelson came off the board in 2003.

Drafted by

Carolina Panthers

Rd 2, Pick 18 · #50 overall · NFC South

Full 2003 draft class (262 picks)
Position
Guard G
College
Iowa Big Ten at the draft
Measurables
301 lbs
Side of the ball
Offense

NFL career

15 regular-season games · 2 career approximate value

Games played
15
Career approximate value
299th among Iowa picks
AV with the drafting club
2100% of career value
Final season
20030 years after the draft

Around pick 50

Who came off the board on either side of Bruce Nelson.

#48 Chris Kelsay DE · BUF Nebraska #49 Eddie Moore LB · MIA Tennessee #51 Terry Pierce LB · DEN Kansas State #52 Chaun Thompson LB · CLE West Texas

Iowa in the 2003 draft

Teammates who went in the same class.

#24 Dallas Clark TE · IND Iowa · 1× All-Pro · 1× Pro Bowl #33 Eric Steinbach G · CIN Iowa #140 Derek Pagel DB · NYJ Iowa #151 Ben Sobieski T · BUF Iowa

Other G picks from Iowa

The program's most accomplished players at the same spot.

#219 Mark Bortz G · CHI · 1983 Iowa · 2× Pro Bowl #78 Mike Goff G · CIN · 1998 Iowa #22 Ron Hallstrom G · GB · 1982 Iowa #33 Eric Steinbach G · CIN Iowa #64 Bob Kratch G · NYG · 1989 Iowa #22 Mike Haight G · NYJ · 1986 Iowa

About this draft profile

Last updated Aug 24, 2026

Bruce Nelson in the 2003 NFL Draft

Bruce Nelson is a Guard out of Iowa selected No. 50 overall by the Carolina Panthers in the 2003 NFL Draft. 15 regular-season games · 2 career approximate value Iowa has produced 164 NFL draft picks since 1980.

Where this data comes from

Pick order and career outcomes come from the nflverse draft archive; position, measurables, and conference at the time of the draft come from the college feed. Career columns stay empty until a player logs regular-season snaps.

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Frequently asked questions

Where was Bruce Nelson drafted?

Bruce Nelson was selected No. 50 overall by the Carolina Panthers in the 2003 NFL Draft (Rd 2, Pick 18). Full pick detail at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/2003/bruce-nelson.

What college did Bruce Nelson play for?

Bruce Nelson played college football at Iowa in the Big Ten. See every Iowa draft pick at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/schools/iowa-hawkeyes.

How did Bruce Nelson's NFL career turn out?

15 regular-season games · 2 career approximate value Career outcome data at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/2003/bruce-nelson.