New York Giants: 5 First-round targets in 2018 NFL Draft

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SOUTH BEND, IN – OCTOBER 17: Quenton Nelson #56 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates after a 10-yard touchdown reception by Corey Robinson against the USC Trojans in the fourth quarter of the game at Notre Dame Stadium on October 17, 2015 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

4. Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame

Analytics has become the rage in football, like baseball. It just a different way to give analysis of the players in the NFL. Since there are no official NFL stats for offensive linemen, using analytics is a good way to judge performance, and when using analytics, the Giants offensive line was as terrible as everyone says.

According to Pro Football Focus Elite, the Giants allowed 180 pressure in 2017, the 12th highest in the NFL. Their Pass Blocking Efficiency rating shows they allowed a pressure on 21.2 percent of their pass plays (weighted toward sacks).

Football Outsiders shows their run blocking was equally as bad. They were successful on third and fourth down with two yards or fewer to go and all four downs within two yards of the end zone 50 percent of the time (29th in the NFL). They only had 1.02 yards per carry between five and 10 yards beyond the line of scrimmage (24th), and they only had .68 yards per carry more than ten yards beyond the line of scrimmage (18th).

Adding a road grader like Nelson will only help that. He’s pro-ready, and that’s key in today’s NFL for offensive linemen. He has rare size and strength and All-Pro potential. If he can stay healthy, don’t be surprised if he has a bust in Canton one day.

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