Garrett Nelson NFL Draft

Garrett Nelson

  • EDGE Nebraska
  • Junior
  • #331
  • 6'3"
  • 245lbs
  • Prospect
  • Big Ten

Prospect Summary

Garrett Nelson 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Background: 

  • Father, Chris, is a two-time All-American wrestler at Nebraska
  • Received bachelor’s degree in finance in May of 2022
  • Will be a third-year starter in 2021; led team in TFLs (11.5 credited by team) in 2021

System: 

  • Scheme tendencies: Zone-heavy system (Cover 3, quarters, etc.)
  • 2022 projected role: Rotational EDGE

Pros: First-Team All-Try-Hard honors from me, the motor here doesn’t stop. Garrett Nelson is a relentless player who doesn’t necessarily pop off the screen due to physical traits in any capacity. But there’s something to be said for a blue-collar approach, especially as a trench player and pass rusher like Nelson. His game is easy to like and he showcases a high football IQ, reacting to blocks naturally and understanding flow to carry him to the football. That IQ helps explain the productive season Nelson put on display, as does his effort to push and finish his rallies at the football as a hustle defender. He does have a sufficient build to play on the edge as a hybrid linebacker type at the next level. 

Cons: While the effort blows you away, you do wish there were more raw traits to work with. Garrett Nelson is a bit of a hybrid type and while I do think he has sufficient athleticism, he doesn’t have a dynamic first step or steep angles in his lower half to bend and flatten effectively and challenge the quarterback off the edge without help from interior push on the line. I don’t think he has great natural length either—he’s more of a close-quarters combat player who executes in compact spaces. While I do think he can project to a hybrid role given his frame, I do feel his current presentation as an athlete is a little too much in between standard archetypes for odd or even front EDGE roles.

Garrett Nelson NFL Draft Scouting Report by Kyle Crabbs