jive
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First off, Nelson is a beast. He makes getting to the next level look easy, he finishes off his blocks like nobody's business, and has NFL body written all over him. Those are the main reasons why some scouts are considering him a generational talent and most are projecting him to be a top 10 and even a top 5. The last time a true guard was drafted in the top 5 was in 1985, when Bill Fralic was drafted at #2. You could count Leonard Davis in 2001 when he was drafted #2 and played guard for most of his career, even though he played tackle in college. Both of those guys went to have decent careers with a couple of Pro Bowls each, but I would expect a little more from a #2 overall pick.
Since 2008, 10 guards have been taken in the first round with most of them in the latter rounds (20+). Only 1 was taken in the top 10 (Cooper).
There's some ProBowlers in there with Decastro, Long, and Iupati.
You have some busts in Cooper, Watkins, and Tomlinson
You even have a guy who became a Pro-Bowl tackle in Albert.
Which one will Nelson be? He'd have to be as good or better than those with success to be worth a top 10 pick.
Decastro and Iupati when they came out were considered NFL ready, the best in their position, and considered safe picks. Yet, they were selected in the bottom half of the draft. Cooper was selected at 7 with great combine results and productivity as a 3 year starter, but busted due to injuries. How much better is Nelson than Decastro, Iupati, Long or Albert to be taken in the top 10, possibly top 5?
He's a beast for sure. Just not sure how much more beastly than previous prospects, and worth a top 10 pick when quality guards can be found in other rounds. If you look at Pro Bowl rosters, you will see that many of them are 3rd or 4th rounders at guard with some of them converted tackles. I like Nelson, but based on history, he'd have to be way better than any guard that has come out in a generation or do an improved Brandon Albert switchover to be taken in the top 10, let alone the top 5.
Since 2008, 10 guards have been taken in the first round with most of them in the latter rounds (20+). Only 1 was taken in the top 10 (Cooper).
There's some ProBowlers in there with Decastro, Long, and Iupati.
You have some busts in Cooper, Watkins, and Tomlinson
You even have a guy who became a Pro-Bowl tackle in Albert.
Which one will Nelson be? He'd have to be as good or better than those with success to be worth a top 10 pick.
Decastro and Iupati when they came out were considered NFL ready, the best in their position, and considered safe picks. Yet, they were selected in the bottom half of the draft. Cooper was selected at 7 with great combine results and productivity as a 3 year starter, but busted due to injuries. How much better is Nelson than Decastro, Iupati, Long or Albert to be taken in the top 10, possibly top 5?
He's a beast for sure. Just not sure how much more beastly than previous prospects, and worth a top 10 pick when quality guards can be found in other rounds. If you look at Pro Bowl rosters, you will see that many of them are 3rd or 4th rounders at guard with some of them converted tackles. I like Nelson, but based on history, he'd have to be way better than any guard that has come out in a generation or do an improved Brandon Albert switchover to be taken in the top 10, let alone the top 5.
