Chicago Bears Draft: Pros and cons of Quenton Nelson at no. 8

Cons and question marks

Guards are rarely drafted top-10

If you look back in history, you don’t typically see guards drafted this high. In fact, most times you can find guards in later rounds and see them develop just as quick. Great guards are not as rare as an All-Pro tackle, so why draft one at no. 8 overall? It’s a risky pick. There’s no denying that.

Overly physical?

Nelson has a tendency to hold onto his blocks a bit longer than he should. While in college, that’s not necessarily a horrible thing to do, in the pros it is a different story. He is a physical specimen. His strength is undeniable, and the way he tosses around defensive linemen is incredible. But, there are times when he could have finished a block and moved up into the second level much sooner than he did. At the NFL-level, Nelson will need to get to the second level quicker.

Not addressing biggest need

The Bears’ biggest need going into the draft is without a doubt their edge rusher position. If they want to sacrifice getting a player like Harold Landry, Marcus Davenport or even the versatile Tremaine Edmunds, who can play both inside and outside, then so be it. But, it could end up being a move that bites them in the future if they see the aforementioned players turn into studs.