Steelers prepare to face Colts standout ‘do it all’ guard Quenton Nelson

Typically, when scouting an upcoming opponent, an offensive guard isn’t the focal point of an NFL team’s gam plan.

But with the Indianapolis Colts, left guard Quenton Nelson might be their best player. Nelson, the No. 6 overall draft pick last year out of Notre Dame, was All Pro as a rookie and seemingly has gotten even better as a second-year pro at age 23.

“What I see from him is he is strong, and he can move,” Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Keith Butler said. “And they pull him a lot. He is an athletic guy. He’s not just a big guy. He is an athletic guy that is strong and can knock your butt off the ball and he can pass block and he can do it all. … He’s a good player.”

The Steelers host the Colts on Sunday.

Quenton Nelson is taking home the Week 7 #NFLWayToPlay Award! ?@BigQ56

The @Colts scored on the strength of Nelson's clean block.
Now he'll score a $2,500 grant to the youth program of his choice!

Track each week's winner HERE: https://t.co/Um4Br5KuhB pic.twitter.com/oskv1h1UDr

— NFL (@NFL) October 24, 2019

Butler speculated the left side of the Indianapolis offensive line is the best in the NFL. Tackle Anthony Castonzo also was a first-round pick, albeit back in 2011.

Per ratings by Pro Football Focus, the Colts have the No. 2 run-blocking line in the league and are No. 10 in pass blocking. Nelson is second-highest rated among all NFL guards, fourth overall among all offensive linemen and second in run blocking. Nelson has not allowed a sack this season and has allowed a quarterback to be hit by a man he was responsible for blocking just seven times in 1,095 pass blocking snaps in his career.

Frank Reich said after being hired as coach of the Colts early last year that he and general manager Chris Ballard got together and decided they would prioritize building the offensive line. Months later, Nelson was their first draft pick together — and at an unusually high spot to select a guard.

But Reich said in all his time in the NFL dating back to his rookie year as a player in 1985, he’s never encountered an offensive lineman more ready and more dominant immediately upon entering the league.

“From A to Z: physically, mentally, emotionally,” Reich said. “Every way — mindset, leadership, practice habits, Quentin’s standards are high. And he’s still a young player, still getting better, still has to prove it every week. But he knows that — and that’s what he wants.”

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