1. Quenton Nelson, Indianapolis Colts
Throughout the history of the NFL draft, which goes back to 1936, only 11 guards have been selected higher than Nelson, who was taken with the sixth overall pick in 2018. In his rookie season, Nelson allowed just two sacks and 24 total pressures, while establishing himself as one of the league’s best run-blockers right out of the gate.
And then, in 2019, he got even better. Nelson didn’t allow a single sack last season, with just two quarterback hits and 18 quarterback pressures allowed. But it’s not the numbers that set Nelson apart– there are other guards with equally good metrics. Whet sets Nelson apart from everyone else who plays his position is the almost comically dominant reps he puts on tape. Yannick Ngakoue and Jadeveon Clowney, two of the better edge defenders in the league, would certainly testify.
First, the way he’s able to pick up this multi-gap stunt from Ngakoue is as textbook as it gets. Nelson isn’t just a mauler, though he can certainly beat the living crap out of defensive lineman — this is ideal technique regarding how to take an opponent into your area and dominate him from side to side.
Yannick Ngakoue, who is very good: Hey, look at this fancy stunt!
Quenton Nelson, who is VERY good: #$% you and your fancy stunt. pic.twitter.com/3fstZjOh7O
— Doug Farrar (@NFL_DougFarrar) July 17, 2020
There’s also this against Clowney back when Clowney was with the Texans, which pretty much sums the argument up that Nelson is the best guard in football, and everybody else is playing for second. This is just not normal.
In which Quenton Nelson pulls two gaps and wrestles Jadeveon Clowney right into the NRG Stadium parking lot. pic.twitter.com/L4VXkD3d3W
— Doug Farrar (@NFL_DougFarrar) June 20, 2019