Quenton Nelson (G-ND) Rd #1 Pick #6

[Dam8610]

Originally Posted by Chaka

Thank you, I appreciate the effort and I do understand the reason why OTs are generally valued higher that guards, but my question was a little more specific: why was Nelson, in particular, a bad pick given the seeming consensus that he's a uniquely effective guard? And incidentally, what about the emergence of the three tech DTs like Aaron Donald that Chromeburn mentioned in a prior post – wouldn’t that merit reconsidering your lowly view of guards?

Lastly, I’ll add that your conclusions aren’t really borne out in the real world. If guards are merely unathletic, slow-footed OTs, then why does the guard profession exist independently in the first place? Wouldn’t all the bad OTs just move to guard? And why are the top guards now getting $10M+ while there are lots of out-of-work, slow-footed OTs who could be paid a lot less? Why doesn't Zach Banner just move to guard?

I’m really not trying to be overly critical, it’s just that I don’t think it’s as simple or cut-and-dried as you’re saying. The old chestnut that you can't take a guard high in the first round is often stated, but rarely explained other than to say that OTs are generally more important than Guards

The best way to counteract an athletic three technique is effective technique and strength. There's no edge to bend on the interior, so a technically sound guard will do best to just give ground to counteract the first step ability and use sound technique to effectively counteract their moves. Also, another reason a quality LT is important is that it allows you to assign a double team on the interior OL, thus reducing the importance of guard play further.

Obviously failed tackles are not the only options for guards, I never said that. I said that failed tackles expand the pool of available players that can be effective guards, which increases supply and lowers demand. The difference between those two statements is not subtle or easily missed, so it seems like you're trying to misconstrue my point to make it easier to argue against.

Guard is not a value position. It's because guards can't have a huge impact on the game. It really is fairly simple.