Chicago Bears Draft Scout: Quenton Nelson

Fit for Chicago Bears?

The question that everyone will be asking is whether or not the Quenton Nelson is worth the eighth pick in the draft. There is no chance he makes it past 15, so it is then or never for the Chicago Bears. However, in the short term, Nelson would likely fill in for Kyle Long, who may be a cap casualty. Then, the team would start him over Josh Sitton in the long term. The issue is, even if you had a healthy Kyle Long for 2016, how much better is the team? What do they get out of upgrading that spot? That is a pick that helps keep the wheel turning, not speed up the process.

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It would be tough to walk away from the Bears drafting Nelson and being mad. It is the safe pick. It is also fair to understand that in the vacuum of the situation, there could have been a higher upside bet at that pick to help change the game. A big-time pass rusher. A game-changing wide receiver. Even a top tackle would be more impactful. Of course, the Bears do have offensive line coach Harry Hiestand as well. He came over from Notre Dame so if anyone knows his value to a team, it will be Hiestand. It will be an interesting debate, and likely will end up being one that the Bears face. We will see how they value Long, guards, and Nelson and his impact moving forward.