ORCHARD PARK, NY – JANUARY 09: Quenton Nelson #56 of the Indianapolis Colts during a game against the Buffalo Bills at Bills Stadium on January 9, 2021 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
A Pro Football Focus stat proves how Quenton Nelson has been an incredibly effective offensive lineman for the Colts over his first three years in the league.
It’s been three years since the Colts used the sixth overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft to select Quenton Nelson out of Notre Dame. What a pick it was.
The three-time All-Pro has been nothing short of exceptional for the team in his short career so far.
Consider this stat from Pro Football Focus:
That’s one sack per season allowed. Or a sack every 648 dropbacks.
Quenton Nelson has proven to be a perfect investment for the Colts
When you target a guard with the No. 6 overall pick, you better be getting a good one. Nelson has been that and more.
He is one of just two players in the last three decades to be named an All-Pro in each of his first three seasons. The other was Barry Sanders.
He has yet to miss a game either.
Colts owner Jim Irsay called Quenton “a generational player,” which sounds about right. How else do you describe a 24-year old lineman who is already the best at his position?
The only thing up in the air is where Nelson goes from here. There is talk of the Colts trying him out at left tackle following the retirement of Anthony Castonzo. The departing tackle even gave Nelson his vote of approval on that front.
The move would either raise Nelson’s legend to new heights. Or soil his perfect start.
The Colts also need to focus on keeping him around. Nelson is entering the fourth year of his four-year rookie contract. Needless to say, he’s going to have plenty of bargaining power when it comes to figuring out a new deal.