According to ESPN’s yearly league survey, Quenton Nelson of the Colts is ranked as the NFL’s third-best offensive guard heading into the 2024 season.
Opinions are divided on Nelson, the former top pick who remains among the league’s best. Despite injuries to key players like quarterback Anthony Richardson and running back Jonathan Taylor, Nelson helped the Colts’ depleted offense achieve a 10th-place ranking in rushing.
“I thought he was outstanding—possibly his best season,” remarked an AFC scout.
Nelson’s run block win rate of 72.4% ranked fourth among guards being evaluated. However, some are hesitant to label him as a top-five guard, with one league executive noting concerns about Nelson being somewhat stiff in his movements now.
“I’ve always felt Nelson was a bit overhyped,” commented another AFC executive. “He can dominate and set a strong tone, but I think he regressed a bit this past year.”
Despite varying assessments, Nelson’s performance last season shows reports of his decline may be exaggerated. Starting all 17 games for the Colts, he earned a solid +70.8 overall grade from PFF, including an impressive +80.3 grade in pass blocking. Throughout 686 pass blocking snaps, Nelson allowed just one sack and 21 quarterback pressures.
While he may not have reached All-Pro levels, Nelson secured his sixth consecutive Pro Bowl selection in 2023, demonstrating consistent excellence as the anchor of the Colts’ interior offensive line.
At 28 years old with some history of back issues, it’s possible Nelson isn’t as physically dominant as earlier in his career, where his sheer strength overwhelmed opponents. Nevertheless, his football IQ, technical blocking ability, and athleticism suggest he remains elite, positioning him well for a potential Hall of Fame career.
