New York Jets 2018 NFL Draft Prospects: Offensive Linemen

OG Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame

Next up is another Fighting Irishman, Quenton Nelson! Another offensive lineman with great size at six-foot-five and weighing 325 pounds.

Nelson became the starting left guard his sophomore year, helping lead Notre Dame to become one of eleven programs to average 205 rushing yards and 250 passing yards a game. He continued his success into 2016, where he went on to become an AP third-team All-American.

While Nelson is a better pass blocker than most guards, his highlights show how he is another player that is great in both the passing and running game.

Specifically, Nelson’s biggest assets to his game are his physical strength, his footwork, and his game smarts. His strength makes him a wrecking ball against defensive linemen in the running game and also allows him to anchor against pass rushers.

His explosive first step allows him to power into and through the defensive linemen, which is what helps create the big gaps for running backs to run through. Then in the passing game, his footwork is a major part of why he doesn’t get beat often by pass rushers and holds down the interior of the offensive line.

Going into his senior year, if Nelson can continue to polish his skills and get stronger, he’ll set himself up to be a player the New York Jets are willing to spend an early draft pick on.