Chicago Bears: Top 5 most likely candidates in first round of NFL Draft

4. G Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Some Bears fans may not understand just how talented Quenton Nelson is. Those are the fans shouting, “A guard? At the eighth overall pick? Why?”

While it might be a little unusual and something you don’t see every year, Nelson is absolutely a top-10 player. Some would even argue he is a top-5 player in this year’s draft.

Nelson stands 6-foot-5, weighing 329 pounds. If you have read anything about him previously, you know that one of Nelson’s top traits is his strength. He put up a solid 35 reps at 225 pounds on the bench press. While that’s still far from the combine record, it’s a pretty staggering number if you consider the following.

https://twitter.com/CharlesRobinson/status/968849602395951104

Nelson’s wingspan was the largest measured over the weekend. While his arms are not the longest of the bunch, his incredible wingspan is due to how broad he is across the shoulders. If you want to win as an offensive lineman in the NFL, you know rule number one is that the lower man wins.

Rule number two, of course, is to be as wide as a truck and you’ll do just fine.

It isn’t just his upper body strength that amazes scouts, though. Nelson has notoriously strong legs and possesses the ability to move his hips quickly. Strength is key, but agility from the waist down is one of the best things you can have as a guard — and he has it.

Nelson is as close to an immovable object as you can get. Not to mention, his instincts are second to none at the position.

For the Bears to snag the best offensive lineman in this draft — and it’s not close — would be a tremendous victory for Mitchell Trubisky. As a young, developing quarterback, it’s nice to have a lot of things. Weapons in the passing game and a dynamic backfield are helpful, sure. But, to have a guy like Nelson anchoring your line would top his list, I’m sure.