Interior linemen rarely are selected early in the NFL draft, but Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelson is primed to be an exception in 2018.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, Nelson won’t be the No. 1 pick but “at least a few teams” list him as the the best available prospect.
“Countless scouts cracked up discussing his film and how he just buried guys over and over.”
Nelson twice earned AP All-America honors in college, securing a third-team slot in 2016 and rising to a first-team nod last season.
Given that performance, Nelson believes he deserves consideration as a top-five pick, per Dakota Crawford of the Indianapolis Star. And we’re certainly inclined to agree.
The problem for the 6’5″, 325-pound guard is quarterbacks are likely to dominate the top of the draft. Depending on how free agency unfolds, the Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, Denver Broncos and New York Jets could all be seeking a signal-caller.
Throw in running back Saquon Barkley and defensive end Bradley Chubb, and Nelson may slide a little bit.
Since several teams value Nelson so highly, however, he still could squeeze into the top five — and even if he doesn’t, it’s unlikely he’s available much longer.