Nesta Jade Silvera Bio
Nesta Jade Silvera is an American professional football defensive tackle. Born on January 23, 2000, in Pembroke Pines, Florida, he played college football for the Miami Hurricanes and Arizona State Sun Devils before entering the National Football League. Silvera was selected in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders, beginning a professional career that has since included stints with several organizations. Known for his physical presence on the defensive line, he stands 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 304 pounds.
Through his first three NFL seasons, Silvera has navigated a series of practice squad opportunities, futures contracts, and brief roster stays, establishing himself as a depth piece in the league. His journey from a highly recruited Florida high school standout to a professional defensive tackle reflects steady development and perseverance.
Early Life and Background
Nesta Jade Silvera grew up in Pembroke Pines, Florida, where he developed an early interest in football. He attended American Heritage School in Plantation, Florida, and quickly emerged as one of the most dominant defensive linemen in the state. During his time with the Patriots, he helped the program win back-to-back state championships and was part of a 27-game winning streak, an experience that shaped his competitive foundation.
As a senior, Silvera compiled 79 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, and 12 sacks, earning recognition as the Florida High School Defensive Player of the Year by USA Today. He was a consensus four-star recruit and was selected for the 2018 U.S. Army All-American Bowl, where he showcased his skills among the nation’s top high school prospects. 247Sports ranked him as the 54th-best overall prospect in his class, and he ultimately committed to the Miami Hurricanes over several other scholarship offers. Silvera is of Panamanian and Jamaican descent.
Path to Professional Football
Silvera enrolled at the University of Miami and immediately contributed to the Hurricanes’ defensive front. In his freshman season, he appeared in 10 games, recording 13 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and a blocked punt, demonstrating his ability to disrupt opposing offenses. An injury kept him out of the first four games of 2019, but he returned to play in the final nine contests of the season, finishing with 19 tackles and one sack.
By 2020, Silvera had earned a starting role at defensive tackle. He appeared in 11 games that season, starting all but one, and tallied 35 tackles with 8.0 tackles for loss, earning honorable mention all-conference recognition. He remained a starter in 2021, finishing the year with 38 tackles and 8.5 tackles for loss. After the 2021 campaign, Silvera transferred to Arizona State University, where he started 10 of 12 games in 2022 and recorded 56 tackles with 4.5 tackles for loss. His strong senior season earned him an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine, where he was the only Arizona State player invited.
Nesta Jade Silvera Career
Early Career (2023)
Nesta Jade Silvera was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders in the seventh round, 231st overall, of the 2023 NFL Draft. He made his NFL debut in Week 4 of his rookie season, registering one tackle in the contest. Later that year, on December 20, 2023, he was released by the Raiders before being re-signed to the practice squad two days later, a common path for late-round rookies adjusting to the professional game.
On January 8, 2024, Silvera signed a reserve/future contract with Las Vegas, keeping him in the organization for the following season. His rookie year offered a glimpse of the league’s demands, including the constant churn between the active roster and practice squad.
Las Vegas Raiders Era (2023–2024)
Silvera spent the 2023 season and the early portion of 2024 with the Raiders, working primarily as a depth defensive tackle. His role within the defensive rotation allowed him to continue developing his technique and conditioning at the professional level. The Raiders waived him on October 21, 2024, ending his time on the active roster in Las Vegas.
Despite the midseason release, Silvera’s experience with the Raiders gave him a foundation in NFL systems and practice habits, both of which proved valuable as he moved to his next opportunity.
San Francisco 49ers Era (2024)
On October 24, 2024, just days after his release from Las Vegas, Silvera signed with the San Francisco 49ers practice squad. Joining one of the league’s most respected defensive organizations offered him a chance to learn from a championship-caliber coaching staff and an experienced defensive line room. His time with the 49ers further refined his understanding of NFL-level preparation.
Green Bay Packers Era (2025)
On January 14, 2025, Silvera signed a reserve/futures contract with the Green Bay Packers, securing a place with the organization for the upcoming league year. The move provided him with an offseason opportunity to compete for a roster spot. He was released by the Packers on July 18, 2025, as the team shaped its defensive line rotation ahead of training camp.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2025–Present)
On August 4, 2025, Silvera signed with the Los Angeles Chargers, giving him another opportunity to compete for a roster spot. He was released on August 26, 2025, as part of the league’s final roster cuts. His brief tenure with the Chargers reflected the highly competitive nature of the NFL’s defensive tackle position.
Driving Style and Strengths
Silvera is recognized for his physical presence on the defensive line, combining strong hands with the leverage to disrupt running lanes. His college production, including 56 tackles in his final college season at Arizona State, highlights his consistency as a run-stopper. He has shown the ability to absorb double teams and maintain gap integrity, traits that are valuable for rotational defensive tackles.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Silvera’s career was his selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, which validated his development from a top high school recruit to a professional player. Being named the Florida High School Defensive Player of the Year and earning an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine stand out as major accomplishments that bookended his amateur journey.
Nesta Jade Silvera Career Wins
Nesta Jade Silvera’s professional résumé is still developing, and his career highlights are tied more to securing roster opportunities than to statistical milestones. Through his first three NFL seasons, he has appeared in at least one regular-season game and spent time on multiple practice squads.
Professional Highlights
Silvera’s most notable professional moment came in his NFL debut during Week 4 of the 2023 season, when he recorded his first career tackle. He has also signed reserve/futures contracts with the Green Bay Packers and practice squad deals with multiple organizations, demonstrating the perseverance required to remain in the league as a late-round pick.
Other Performances
In college, Silvera was a two-year starter at the University of Miami and a one-year starter at Arizona State, finishing his senior season with 56 tackles. His senior-year totals at American Heritage School, including 79 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, and 12 sacks, set the foundation for his college recruitment and eventual professional career.
Nesta Jade Silvera Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Silvera is of Panamanian and Jamaican descent, a heritage that has shaped his identity off the field. Limited public information is available regarding his parents or immediate family, and he has kept his personal life largely private. His path from Pembroke Pines, Florida, to the NFL reflects the strong family and community support that helped guide him through the demands of competitive football.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season began with Silvera signing a reserve/futures contract with the Green Bay Packers on January 14, giving him an opportunity to compete throughout the offseason. Despite his efforts, he was released by the Packers on July 18, 2025, during a period when teams trim rosters ahead of training camp.
Shortly after his release, Silvera signed with the Los Angeles Chargers on August 4, 2025, joining the team’s defensive line competition. He was ultimately released on August 26, 2025, as part of the league’s mandatory final roster cuts. His brief stay with the Chargers concluded his 2025 preseason activity.
Looking ahead, Silvera remains a young defensive tackle with prior NFL experience, positioning him as a candidate for practice squad opportunities elsewhere as the 2025 season progresses. His journey through multiple organizations reflects the resilience required to pursue a sustained career in professional football.