The Chicago Bears Quenton Nelson buzz began months ago after the 2017 season ended. Not a surprise right? Nelson is considered by many to one of the two or three best prospects in the 2018 draft class. Many think he’s the best overall. The Bears hold the #8 overall pick. So it was only natural his name would get connected to them at some point.
That rumor got a huge jolt a couple weeks ago when the team elected to part ways with veteran guard Josh Sitton. The former Pro Bowler is 32-years old and was entering the last year of his contract. While it’s likely he still has another good year or two in him, the feeling was it would be better to part ways. They could save the money and go young. He could seek out a team that gives him a better chance to win immediately.
It certainly didn’t create any solutions for them on offense though. Now the left guard position is up in the air. This while Kyle Long tries to work his way back from multiple off-season surgeries. That’s why the idea of adding Nelson sounds so appealing.
Chicago Bears Quenton Nelson idea has definite legs
The Bears likely know everything there is to know about Nelson. After all, they employ the coach who developed him at Notre Dame in Harry Hiestand. One can imagine they’re at least being nudged to draft him if his name is still on the board. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune agrees that the odds are mixed, but it’s certainly not impossible.
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“Nelson could go that high, but he could also slip past No. 10 and that’s because it’s hard to draft an interior offensive lineman that high. Nelson is a gifted player and it’s a good class for guards. The bottom line is at the end of the combine, the Bears have to feel pretty good that they will be getting a good football player at No. 8, a player who can step in and be an impact player from the start. That’s what they really need.”
There’s something important to keep in mind here. Everybody likes to assume that Nelson won’t make it to #8, but history says differently. Since the league merger in 1970, a total of 15 guards went in the top 10. Just seven of them went before the eighth overall pick. Ready for the best part? Only one of those seven has gone that high since 1986. That was Jonathan Cooper who went seventh overall to Arizona in 2013.
Cooper became a bust
He lasted just two seasons with the Cardinals before getting cut. He spent a year in Cleveland and finally landed with Dallas where he became a serviceable left guard. One can bet money teams are aware of that fact. Nelson may be a “sure thing,” but many were convinced Cooper was too. Ask Mike Mayock.
“I think that is a great pick. I really do. You plug him in inside, your offensive line is better, your run game is better. I think this team just got better with the drafting of Jonathan Cooper.”
The fact is Nelson is far bigger, stronger more proven and experienced than Cooper was. Nevertheless, it’s a true possibility that the Bears can get their hands on him at #8. He may not be a sexy pick but if they want to protect Mitch Trubisky and open lanes for Jordan Howard, this guy can do both.
