Ask a soccer professional who the most effective guard within the NFL is, and Quenton Nelson will in all probability be the primary title out of their mouth. The Indianapolis Colts invested the No. 6 general choose on Nelson popping out of Notre Dame within the 2018 NFL Draft, and he’s exceeded each affordable expectation in the course of the begin of his professional profession. Nelson is a three-time First-Crew All-Professional and a six-time Professional Bowl choice already who combines mauling run blocking with versatile and efficient cross 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 direction of Richardson along with his head going through the quarterback, going full pace into Nelson. This was a main 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 protected, and it exhibits a priority to your friends on the opposite crew. Soccer is a violent recreation, nevertheless it doesn’t at all times have to be violent. Lots of the bone-crushing hits that used to replenish spotlight reels haven’t any place within the recreation 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 crew.
That is simply one more reason Nelson is the most effective within the enterprise. There’s nobody higher to look as much as for a younger offensive lineman than Quenton Nelson.