
#56 G · Indianapolis Colts
Height
6'5"
Weight
330 lbs
Age
30
College
Notre Dame
Draft
2018, Rd 1, #6
Experience
8 yrs
Grade this player:
Length
4 years
Total Value
$80.0M
Guaranteed
$41.0M
AAV
$20.0M/yr
The Colts locked up their franchise cornerstone with a deal that represents a slight overpay in today's market, earning a C+ CVI despite Nelson's elite pedigree. At $20M AAV, Indianapolis is paying premium money for a guard who, while still above-average, hasn't consistently performed at the All-Pro level that justified his early career hype since those dominant rookie seasons. The four-year commitment through his age-30 season carries moderate risk given that interior linemen can decline quickly once they hit their thirties, though the $41M in guaranteed money provides reasonable protection for both sides. This contract essentially pays Nelson like a top-3 guard in the league when his recent play suggests he's more in the 6-10 range — still very good, but not quite worth this premium. The Colts clearly prioritized continuity and leadership over pure value optimization, betting that Nelson's floor remains high enough to justify the investment even if he never recaptures his peak form.
Performance grades for Gs are not available. ESPN does not track individual statistics for offensive linemen, punters, long snappers, or fullbacks. This player will remain ungraded unless they change positions.
No transactions found for this player.
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