NFL Mock Draft 2018: Complete 7-Round projections
player. 42. Scouting Report. Offensive Guard. 9. Pick Analysis. Notre Dame. Quenton Nelson
The quarterback rush could have one unexpected beneficiary: the San Francisco 49ers. Despite making their pick several picks after the No. 1 overall selection, the 49ers could walk away with the best player in the entire 2018 class.
Notre Dame offensive guard Quenton Nelson is as can’t miss as they come. Generally top picks are reserved for offensive tackles, but this notable exception easily bucks the trend. Intimidating, powerful and quick describe his play style and he has All-Pro written all over him. After Penn State standout Saquon Barkley, Nelson grades out as a top-2 talent among most draft analysts on talent alone.
The 49ers selected Laken Tomlinson in the first round of the 2015 draft. Two seasons is a relatively short window to pull the plug on any player, but Tomlinson lacks the upside of a player like Nelson. Last year’s first round pick Joshua Garnett spent the season on IR after knee surgery. The San Francisco offense could be even scarier with him back in the fold opposite Nelson and Jimmy Garoppolo under center.