The Indianapolis Colts spent their first-round pick on guard Quenton Nelson in the 2018 NFL Draft as they looked to solidify the offensive line.
Not only did Nelson wind up being the right choice at No. 6 overall, but he proved that selecting a guard that early doesn’t have to line up with the “positional value” method so early in the draft.
Nelson was the only Colt to play every single snap on the offensive side of the ball while continuously showing development in both pass protection and run-blocking.
With a combination of strength, athleticism and flexibility, Nelson was able to do things on the field that other guards simply can’t from a physical standpoint. He showed that throughout the season, especially when asked to pull.
His ability to quickly get off the ball and pull to his spot, whether it was picking up a defensive end or identifying a linebacker at the second level, proved that he was years beyond what most guards can do.
His pass protection was solid for the most part, but there will be areas in which his technique needs some work. That is especially true when it comes to getting consistent work with his hands inside.
Regardless, Nelson had such a strong rookie season that he earned a Pro Bowl and First-Team All-Pro nod while even receiving a pair of votes for the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
The Colts offensive line was extremely strong in 2018, and one of the biggest reasons was the addition of Nelson.
