2018 NFL Scouting Report: Scouting Notre Dame guard, Quenton Nelson

One prospect who the Denver Broncos may show interest in with their 5th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft is former Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelson. He is 6’5”, 329lb guard who is considered one of, if not the best overall prospect in the entire 2018 NFL Draft. Nelson is ranked as the top overall guard according to NFLDraftScout.com and is considered the third-best prospect in the entire 2018 NFL Draft.

Nelson played three seasons at Notre Dame and was voted a Unanimous All-American in 2017.

Quenton Nelson, Senior, Notre Dame

Height: 6’5” Weight: 329lbs 40 Time: N/A

Arm Length: 33 3/4” Hands: 10 3/8”

Bench Press: 39 reps Vertical Jump: 26.5 inches Broad Jump: 105.0 inches

3-Cone Drill: 7.65 seconds 20-Yard Shuttle: 4.62 seconds

Film Room:

Scouting Report:

Strengths:

• Is basically a wall. Thick build and looks the part of a badass guard
• 39 reps of 225 on the bench press and that power is evident on tape
• Is one mean mother
• Explosive off the snap
• Plays through the whistle and will bury you
• Is great pull blocker
• Shows good intelligence and awareness
• Pancakes all day
• Good run and pass blocker
• Durable player
• Everything you want in a guard

Weaknesses:

• He did play next to likely top 15 pick Mike McGlinchey so he had some protection
• He’s still a stud though
• I don’t have much here

Does Quenton Nelson make sense for the Broncos in the first round?

I go back and forth on this.

Positional value is a thing, and the NFL does not value guards as high as quarterbacks, tackles, cornerbacks, edge rusher and skill positional players. That is why you see them usually see them go a little later in the first round. However, Nelson might be the best player in the entire draft. So do you take a guard with the 5th overall pick? Or do you get your quarterback at 5? That is the big question the Broncos face in the coming weeks.

Normally this would be an easy question, but watching Nelson changes everything. He’s a stud, he’s a monster in the trenches, and likely is an All-Pro guard his rookie year. This is something the Broncos offensive line has missed for years. Nelson, Paradis, and Leary would give the Broncos one nasty trio on the inside for hopefully many years.

If Mayfield or Allen is there with Nelson at and one of the QBs is “their guy”, they gotta go quarterback. Passing on quarterbacks in the first-round can make you look stupid(Example: Cleveland Browns), but if you’re not confident in either, take the stud guard.