NFL Draft grades: 10 first-round picks that get an A

Quenton Nelson – Indianapolis Colts (Pick #6)

Another team with a relatively new general manager in the Indianapolis Colts hit a home run in this draft. General manager Chris Ballard ran his second draft for the Colts after landing top safety Malik Hooker in round one a year ago. Prior to the draft Ballard moved back from the third pick to the sixth pick in a trade with the Jets. That trade helped stock the cupboard for the Colts but their first round pick will set the table.

The Colts better be careful because if that table gets in the way Quenton Nelson will destroy it. One of the cleanest prospects of the decade, Nelson fits perfectly for the Colts. Their biggest weakness entering this season was how to product face-of-the-franchise quarterback Andrew Luck. Nelson is a refined pass blocker who will dominate anyone trying to come up the middle and get to Luck. Indianapolis’ run game and whoever is carrying the ball will benefit from the massive holes Nelson will produce.

A man his size simply should not possess his type of movement skills and power combined. Nelso is a road grader in the run game and a nimble minx in pass protection. Luck and company will be lucky to have him anchoring the offensive line for the next decade plus. Ballard looks like he got great value moving down and still grabbing the player I considered the best in the entire class. This may not be the “sexy” pick but it was the right pick with the top pass rushers off the board.