Quenton Nelson on the Decline says ESPN

The Indianapolis Colts made Quenton Nelson the highest-paid offensive guard within the NFL earlier this yr. Solely three offensive linemen within the NFL, all left tackles, make greater than Nelson after he signed his extension.

Nobody questioned whether or not Nelson needs to be paid among the many recreation’s elite on the time, however Nelson and the offensive line as a unit have struggled in 2022. 

His 68.6 grade from Professional Soccer Focus is effectively under the 91.2 and 86.2 he graded in 2019 and 2020 respectively however on par with the 69.1 he bought final season.

ESPN listed five-declining gamers which have flown underneath the radar this season, and Quenton Nelson made the record. 

In 2021, Nelson handled numerous accidents, and his efficiency dropped off a little bit. He was twelfth and thirteenth in PBWR and RBWR, respectively — nonetheless spectacular contemplating his damage difficulty. 

This yr has been a step again, although. Nelson has dropped to thirty sixth and seventeenth in go block and run block win charge, respectively. In different phrases, he has been a median go blocker.

In watching his performs, Nelson did get tagged with just a few low cost losses that introduced his numbers down a bit, however he hasn’t been taking part in at his regular customary. Seth Walder, ESPN Analytics

The offensive line is barely as sturdy as its weakest hyperlink. Whereas Nelson is way from its weakest hyperlink, the shuffling of gamers round him together with left deal with have had a unfavourable impact on his play.

As rookie Bernhard Raimann will get will get settled at left deal with, there ought to be a bounce again season from Nelson in 2023.

At $20 million per season, the Colts are relying on it.