The Chicago Bears draft plans are still in their infancy. GM Ryan Pace is no doubt setting up plans though. He’s a career scout so his time to shine is coming again. Thus far he’s had success over the past two drafts adding talent. It’s possible his crowning jewel, quarterback Mitch Trubisky, will be a major hit. That of course depends on what Pace does next.
In other words can he build an adequate roster around the young passer? It’s something the Bears have a long history of failure at. Pace has to make sure this gets off the ground properly or he risks going the same route as so many other failed GMs. So what must he do? Well as always it comes down to the two biggest keys.
Find Trubisky better weapons and provide him the protection to hit them. That second part has actually proven more difficult than some expected. The Bears offensive line isn’t bad this season, but it hasn’t been the top 10 unit many expected it to be either. Trubisky has been sacked 30 times in 11 games. If that average held for 16 games that would make 43 sacks.
Not terrible, but far below the necessary standard for consistent success. So how can the Bears make it better?
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Why would the Bears draft Quenton Nelson? Because he’s that good
Right now Chicago holds the #9 pick in the upcoming draft. Typically that high a choice is reserved for more glamorous positions: quarterback, wide receiver, pass rusher and offensive tackle. Rarely is a guard every considered that high. Whenever that happens the guy almost universally must be classified as “special.”
Since 1970 a total of 15 guards were selected in the top 10 of a draft. Four of them went on to become Pro Bowlers and three are in the Hall of Fame. Perhaps the greatest ever, Bruce Matthews, was selected with the #9 pick. So nobody can say this isn’t an investment worth considering. That’s why the Bears have to think about taking Quenton Nelson.
He is the current left guard at Notre Dame and may be the best overall prospect in the entire 2018 class. That’s not a joke. Watch him for long enough and people will understand.
He’s mobile
Look the athleticism of Quenton Nelson to go right and block LB 14.
Difference maker, #49ers. pic.twitter.com/cFYcLpgIMO
— Lorena M. (@lmnfldraft) November 5, 2017
One of the first things that coaches want to know about a guard is can he move? Is he able to get out of his stance and either rush to the second level or pull to get out in front of a running back? Nelson does that consistently well for the Irish. Several times like in this video he’s been able to get around an edge and pick off a charging defender to spring his runner for a big game.
He’s aware
Quenton Nelson is amazing. How in the world did he see this safety blitzing from all the way on the other side of the line of scrimmage? pic.twitter.com/wCrVVpgCun
— J.R. (@JReidDraftScout) December 23, 2017
One of the hardest things to do in offensive line play is understand where a blitz is coming from. Defenses are so good these days at disguising them with delays and stunts. So often a linebacker or safety is left free to deliver a shot on the quarterback. This play by Nelson shows how aware he is at all times. He makes his initial block, scans around and sees the gap opening. Recognizing the blitz, he jumps into the path and de-cleats the blitzing safety to allow his QB time to throw.
He’s powerful
Quenton Nelson a soul-snatcher man. pic.twitter.com/HXTPym3w0Q
— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) August 31, 2017
Last but certainly not least, Nelson is simply a mauler. He’s an athlete sure but coaches love a guy who can impose his will on another football player. Nelson brings it on ever snap. Not only does he have the power to drive like-sized defenders back, but he doesn’t stop until he hears the whistle. The guy is a tone-setter that loves to hammer opponents until they break.
So try to imagine this monster at left guard with Cody Whitehair in the middle and a fully healthy Kyle Long at right guard? The Bears would suddenly have the most frightening interior offensive line in the NFL. Not only would Trubisky be more secure in his pass protection, but Jordan Howard likely sees more daylight on the ground.
It’s win-win all around. Sure a guard isn’t the most glamorous position to draft, but if it helps so many other players get better than it can’t be turned away.
