Notre Dame football: Top-10 draft picks of the Brian Kelly era

Notre Dame football: Top-10 draft picks of the Brian Kelly era

1.  Quenton Nelson

• Indianapolis Colts, 2018: Round 1, Pick 6

Going into 2021, Quenton Nelson is the best offensive lineman in the NFL, and it’s not particularly close. Frankly, you could argue he was the best offensive lineman going into his rookie season, as it’s hard to find a single fault in the guard’s game. He is strong and durable, with great balance. He’s also got a mean streak a mile wide and he’s got the strength to back it up too.

In his three short NFL seasons, Nelson has been a three-time Pro Bowler and a three-time All-Pro selection. There’s not much more that needs to be said about him. Nelson’s a stud, and even though he’s only played three seasons, he’s already on his way to a Hall of Fame career.

No one should have been drafted ahead of Nelson. Had he played tackle, no one would have been taken ahead of him, but there is always positional bias to the draft, and a guard is seen as less important. Even at number six, many people felt he was drafted too high. Already, Nelson has proved everyone wrong about him.