Originally Posted by Dam8610 (Post 108149)

You understand that there was no way to guarantee this beforehand, right? The last two guards to go top ten before Nelson were Jonathan Cooper and Chance Warmack, both of whom flopped miserably and never even came close to living up to their top ten draft status. Both of them were All-Americans and hyped up as great players like Nelson was. Even discounting that and assuming he was going to be elite (which would've been a foolish assumption beforehand), an elite OG hasn't been worth as much as an elite DE, WR, LT, LB, DT, CB, etc. in the NFL over the last 10+ years. Considering 16 of the top 20 contracts for offensive lineman belong to LTs, and LTs don't get paid as well as the other positions I listed, it would seem that is a well established point among NFL GMs. That makes drafting a guard that high an even bigger risk. Fortunately it worked out, but no one could've known that Nelson would have a bigger impact as a rookie than any OG in the past 10+ years on draft day.

Originally Posted by JAFF (Post 107993)

Yeah, I don't know what you are talking about.

Nelson was the big fucking dog in this draft and he was a PRO BOWL player out the gate. How did all the guys above him do? Nelson was all pro as a lineman, the toughest, most intellegent position in the game. And he will only get better.

And while people will say QB is harder, try sittin in a three point stance, LISTENING to audibles and then HOLDING your position until the snap and ajusting your attack depending on the change, and knocking the crap out of the guy in front of you.

This guy could be one of the BEST. He's smart (Notre Damn), atheletic, and his DRIVEN. He likes to beat the piss out of guys in a legal way and not go to jail.

That 6th round pick will look like chump change in the future.

Originally Posted by VeveJones007 (Post 108050)

This isn't quite accurate. Most mocks had Key as an early 1st rounder early in the 2017 season. After he had some injuries and poor performance, few mocks had him as a 1st rounder by the time of the Senior Bowl.

Originally Posted by smitty46953 (Post 108150)

Few of us wanted Nelson, I watched ND a lot and he passed the eye test for me. Had Chubb been available and it was up to me the pick still be Nelson. Just my 2 cents. Had to protect the QB … :cool:

Originally Posted by Dam8610 (Post 108160)

If Nelson had a good season but not All-Pro, and Chubb still had 12 sacks, the decision wouldn't look nearly as good, and that was a distinct possibility on draft day. Jonathan Cooper and Chance Warmack passed the eye test in college as well, I'm sure.

Originally Posted by Dam8610 (Post 108160)

If Nelson had a good season but not All-Pro, and Chubb still had 12 sacks, the decision wouldn't look nearly as good, and that was a distinct possibility on draft day. Jonathan Cooper and Chance Warmack passed the eye test in college as well, I'm sure.

Originally Posted by YDFL Commish (Post 108170)

Stop being a fucking a fucking "Debbie Downer"! If's and's and butt's are for trolls.

Originally Posted by FatDT (Post 108164)

It doesn’t matter. Ballard gambled and won, Nelson is great. And we will probably go decades without ever drafting another guard top 10.

Originally Posted by Dam8610 (Post 108174)

Oh he absolutely gambled and won, but let's acknowledge it was a gamble.