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Indianapolis Colts: 5 Targets in 2018 NFL Draft after trading down

By Cody Williams

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 04: North Carolina State defensive lineman Bradley Chubb (DL28) runs in the 40 dash drill at the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 4, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 04: North Carolina State defensive lineman Bradley Chubb (DL28) runs in the 40 dash drill at the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 4, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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Quenton Nelson
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 02: Notre Dame offensive lineman Quenton Nelson in action during the 2018 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

2. Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame

We just talked about the teams in the top five of the 2018 NFL Draft that could be in the market to select Notre Dame offensive guard Quenton Nelson. However, one thing that we’ve most certainly seen in the NFL is that teams and organizations are hesitant to select a guard with a highly premium draft pick. Hell, there are some that believe using a first-rounder on a guard at all is something to completely avoid.

If there’s the type of guard prospect that you want to use a first-round pick on, however, it’s a guy like Nelson. When you watch the former Fighting Irish mauler on film, it’s some of the most fun offensive line film that you watch. Nelson is out there just throwing dudes around on the football field and clearing massive holes in the running game. That’s not to say he’s not adept at pass-blocking either, because he is that as well, but his ferocity in the run game is astounding.

Outside of Anthony Constanzo and Ryan Kelly — when the latter is healthy, of course — the Colts offensive line is a dumpster fire. This past season, Indianapolis was forced to allot most of their snaps at guard to Joe Haeg and Jeremy Vujnovich. Shockingly enough, neither of those guys performed well in such an important role. Indy seriously needs to upgrade there.

Nelson would provide them that, without question. While the apprehension of using such a pick on a guard is warranted, this might be the perfect storm. The need is great enough for the Colts and Nelson is a talented enough prospect that he would make sense being selected with the sixth-overall pick.

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