Jack Nelson, OT, Wisconsin
Size:
Height: 6070
Weight: 314
Arm: 33 ½”
Hand: 10”
Accomplishments:
All-Big Ten honorable mention (2022, 2021)
“Jack Nelson brings the toughness, physicality, and size you desire to an NFL offensive line room.”
Strengths:
Positional flexibility
Run blocking
Adequate lateral agility
Concerns:
Foot speed/quickness
Block sustainability
Hand technique
Film Analysis:
Jack Nelson is a three-year starter for the Wisconsin Badgers. He spent two years in a power-oriented running offense before switching to OC Phil Longo’s Air Raid spread system in 2023. Nelson boasts a big frame to an effective run blocker in multiple schemes. He has a wide-reach advantage to force speed rushers into uncomfortable situations.
Nelson is a good and reliable run blocker. He is experienced in both gap and zone run concepts. Nelson’s ability to make contact and displace defenders laterally makes him a nice fit for a zone-based run offense. There is versatility with alignment as Nelson has taken 769 of his 2,369 overall snaps at right guard. He does a good job running his feet at the point of attack on running plays. He works well to cut off backside defenders.
In pass pro, Nelson uses a 45-degree set point to maintain integrity between the corner and the quarterback’s drop. He has a solid grip/latch strength once he lands punches. He has an adequate anchor versus power rushers. When Nelson can dictate the action, he can cut off and stall out the defender’s rush attempt.
Nelson’s hand carriage is low and very wide in pass sets. His chest is routinely exposed and open to defender’s punches, leading to inconsistent pass pro reps. Nelson struggles to maintain balance and sustain blocks. There are too many reps of him ending up on the ground due to leveraging. Nelson is susceptible to push-pull techniques. He struggles to meet explosive, quick-twitched rushers at the apex of the rush due to his adequate foot speed. He must settle his feet earlier in reps to improve his ability to drop his anchor.
Nelson projects best as a right tackle with starting ability in zone-based schemes. He is more than likely to be a swing tackle in the NFL.
Prospect Projection: Day 3 — Scheme Specific Contributor
Written By: Damian Parson
Exposures: Illinois (2023), Washington State (2023), Illinois (2023), Ohio State (2023)
