Ask a soccer skilled who one of the best guard within the NFL is, and Quenton Nelson will in all probability be the primary identify out of their mouth. The Indianapolis Colts invested the No. 6 total choose on Nelson popping out of Notre Dame within the 2018 NFL Draft, and he’s exceeded each affordable expectation throughout the begin of his professional profession. Nelson is a three-time First-Workforce All-Professional and a six-time Professional Bowl choice already who combines mauling run blocking with versatile and efficient move blocking.
Because the Indianapolis Colts confronted the Inexperienced Bay Packers in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL season, Nelson confirmed that he can nonetheless be menacing whereas additionally being respectful of his opponents. Watch this play the place Colts QB Anthony Richardson rolls out of the pocket on a bootleg with Nelson pulling to guard his blindside. A Inexperienced Bay defender ran in the direction of Richardson along with his head going through the quarterback, going full velocity into Nelson. This was a first-rate alternative to ship a decleating block that would have proven up on all of the spotlight reels as proof of Nelson’s greatness. As a substitute, Nelson did the humane factor and gently put him down. Watch the play right here:
That is a tremendous block. It’s efficient, it’s secure, and it exhibits a priority to your friends on the opposite workforce. Soccer is a violent sport, however it doesn’t all the time have to be violent. Lots of the bone-crushing hits that used to replenish spotlight reels haven’t any place within the sport anymore. This block is simply as profitable as one that would have knocked the defender unconscious. Nelson confirmed look after his opponent with out sacrificing something for his workforce.
That is simply one more reason Nelson is one of the best within the enterprise. There’s nobody higher to look as much as for a younger offensive lineman than Quenton Nelson.