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Scouting possible Broncos top pick Quenton Nelson

By Ian Walsh

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 02: Notre Dame offensive lineman Quenton Nelson in action during the 2018 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 02: Notre Dame offensive lineman Quenton Nelson in action during the 2018 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Nelson is undoubtedly the top interior offensive line prospect in the 2018 draft. Could he be an option for the Broncos with  the 5th pick?

Guards are rarely drafted in the top five, but the Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelsoncould break that trend.

If we don’t consider positional value, Quenton Nelson is one of the top 2-3 players in the draft.

Nelson is massive at 6’5” tall and 329 pounds and he also performed well at the combine in Indianapolis.

Nelson’s Strengths

  • Built like a tank
  • Extremely powerful
  • Quick out of his stance
  • Plays angry
  • Very aware, intelligent player
  • Anchors extremely well in pass protection, good luck trying to bull rush him
  • Creates massive running lanes
  • Easily works double teams to the second level

Nelson’s weaknesses

  • Can have trouble with athletic, gap shooting interior defensive linemen
  • A few minor injuries
  • Plays a position that the NFL doesn’t value highly
  • Not much else…

Would the Broncos use the 5th pick on Nelson?

I am not sold that a quarterback is a lock with the 5th pick.

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Teams are not going to be in love with all of the top quarterbacks and each team will have their favorites. The draft could play out in a way that all of the quarterbacks the Broncos like get selected in the top four picks, bringing us back to the possibility of drafting Nelson.

Adding Nelson to a group already containing Garett Bolles, Matt Paradis, Ronald Leary and Jared Veldheer would complete the Broncos’ offensive line for the 2018 season. That offensive line would strike fear into opposing defenses as they are collectively a group of large, strong, and athletic players.

When current Broncos offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave was in the same role with the Oakland Raiders, he had an offensive line that you would describe in the same way.

During Musgrave’s last year in Oakland, they finished 6th in the league in rushing with Latavius Murray as the primary running back.

If drafted by the Broncos, Nelson immediately impacts the running game by creating massive running lanes for Devontae Booker and company.

Taking a guard in the top five is not a flashy pick but it could pay big dividends for the Denver Broncos in the 2018 season and years to come.

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