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4 first-round offensive tackle prospects Broncos should be scouting

By Travis Wakeman

ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 06: Broderick Jones #59 of the Georgia Bulldogs leaves the field at the conclusion of the game against the Missouri Tigers at Sanford Stadium on November 6, 2021 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 06: Broderick Jones #59 of the Georgia Bulldogs leaves the field at the conclusion of the game against the Missouri Tigers at Sanford Stadium on November 6, 2021 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /
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Denver Broncos
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 23: Zion Nelson #60 of the Miami Hurricanes in action against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Hard Rock Stadium on October 23, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

Broncos 2023 draft prospect: Zion Nelson

Scouting Report. player. 834. . . OT. Miami. ZionNelson

Zion Nelson is another player who would be seen as a stretch to take in the first round, but if properly developed, definitely has first-round skills.

Unlike Johnson and Harrison, Nelson is a better pass protector than he is a run blocker at this stage of his playing career. He was just a three-star prospect coming out of high school but he has been solid for the Hurricanes.

Nelson is a technical pass protector with good length and great speed. He is the fastest player on this list and he is also quite quick out of his stance. You will rarely see him get beaten off the edge by a speed rusher.

Though those speed rushers will get even quicker at the next level, Nelson will definitely need to get stronger in order to hold up as an every-down player in the pros. His hand usage is not as good as you would like to see either, but that could be taught with the right offensive line coach.

Nelson has already overcome adversity as well as he was handed the starting left tackle job as a freshman and ended up giving up more sacks than any player in a Power Five conference that season. He was benched and forced to get his starting job back, which he has done.

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