Quenton Nelson Anchoring Colts Revitalized Offensive Line: Film

All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson appears to have returned to form in 2023.

The Indianapolis Colts selected guard Quenton Nelson with the sixth overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, and that selection has been as much of a homerun as anyone could hope for. In just five seasons in the NFL, Nelson has made the All-Pro team four times and the Pro Bowl five times.

Nelson's three First Team All-Pro selections are already the fourth most for a Colts' player since 2000, as he trails just Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison, and Dwight Freeney. Considering the fact that Nelson is still just 27 years old, he is on a Hall of Fame trajectory still fairly early into his NFL career.

With all of that said, Nelson has dealt with some injuries in recent seasons. Those injuries seemed to hamper the superstar guard in 2022, as Nelson (who had allowed just four total sacks in his first four seasons combined) allowed five sacks in the Colts' disastrous campaign a year ago.

There were very real concerns in the offseason if Nelson could return to his once dominant form, especially since back injuries tend to stick around for the long run. Luckily, at least to start the 2023 season, Quenton Nelson appears to be back as his old self.

Quenton Nelson is currently spearheading a revitalized offensive line in Indy, as the unit that was the crux of the Colts' offensive woes a year ago now appears to be a strength again. The Colts' offensive line (according to Pro Football Focus) has yet to be charged with a sack allowed through three weeks of play this year.

There is certainly praise to go around for this improved play in the trenches (especially the performances of both Will Fries and Bernhard Raimann), but Nelson has been leading the charge. His two pressures allowed in 133 pass blocking snaps is the best in the league, and he is currently PFF's highest graded guard in pass pro to start the season.

In the pass game, there are multiple ways that Nelson is a major impact, with the most obvious one being his dominance in isolated situations. I've talked about this a few times this offseason, but the way the Colts pass protect is slightly different from some other teams.

In a standard five man blocking call (against four defensive line pass rushers), the Colts will have the center slide to the side with a threat in the A gap. The backside guard, as a result, is asked to be on an island with the 3-Tech over the B gap (in most situations).

The way the Colts approach this challenge is by having their isolated guard be aggressive at the point of attack. Don't give ground, initiate first significant contact, and hunker down against the rush after the fact. Quenton Nelson has been superb in these situations and has hardly looked challenged in the three games thus far:

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The other way that Nelson impacts the pass game is with his eyes. We talk all day and night about complimentary pass rushers on defense, but Nelson is the ultimate complimentary pass protector on offense. For my money, there isn't a more cerebral offensive lineman in football.

This is what has made Nelson so great in his career. He is blessed with elite athleticism and power, but his awareness and football IQ have always been off the charts. He is constantly scanning for threats, looking for work, and assisting his fellow offensive lineman in the trenches.

The clips below aren't highlight reel plays, but they do showcase what I am talking about. Nelson is an impact player in pass protection even when he isn't locking up one defender in particular:

To further my point about Nelson's awareness in the pass game, he is also a key player when it comes to picking up blitzes. He has a keen eye for identifying threats to his side, and that constant scanning for defenders helps him stay aware of his surroundings.

He is a massive plugger on the offensive line in a lot of ways. Life is difficult for opposing defenses when Nelson is playing at this kind of level early in the season:

Overall, Quenton Nelson has been one of the Colts' best overall players through three weeks. He has been outstanding in pass protection, and he is one of the biggest overall reasons for the Colts' turnaround up front.

If Nelson continues to play the way he has to start the 2023 season, he should be looking at yet another First Team All-Pro selection under his belt by year's end.

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