Jack Nelson OT Wisconsin | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Jack Nelson OT Wisconsin
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| SUB-POSITION: Left Tackle | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 09/21/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 5.10 seconds (81%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| SUB-POSITION: Left Tackle | |
| Last Updated: 09/21/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 5.10 seconds (81%*) | |
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| Overall Rating: | 83.3 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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76% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Pass Blocking: |
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84% |
| Run Blocking: |
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72% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
4th
Overall Rank:
#119
Position rank:
#21
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| College Games: 51 College Snaps: 3117 | ||
ESPN RATING: 83/100
College Combine Results
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247 RATING: 98/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.8 (95%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Tyler Steen - Alabama |
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85% |
| Jaxson Kirkland - Washington |
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83% |
| Matt Goncalves - Pittsburgh |
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82% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Jack Nelson, a Wisconsin native, made his mark as a three-year starter for the Badgers' offensive line. Growing up in Stoughton, Nelson excelled in both football and basketball, earning all-state honors and the prestigious Joe Thomas Award as Wisconsin's top senior offensive lineman. His high school accolades, including an invitation to the 2020 All-American Bowl, set the stage for a successful collegiate career.At Wisconsin, Nelson quickly established himself as a key contributor. After redshirting in 2020, he started all 13 games at right guard in 2021, helping pave the way for the Big Ten's second-ranked rushing offense. In 2022, Nelson transitioned to left tackle, where he started 12 games and showcased improved pass protection skills. His final season in 2023 saw him start all 13 games at left tackle, demonstrating his versatility and consistency.
Throughout his college career, Nelson earned multiple Academic All-Big Ten honors, demonstrating his commitment both on the field and in the classroom. His football pedigree runs deep, as his father, Todd Nelson, also played offensive line for Wisconsin before being drafted by the Phoenix Cardinals in 1989. Jack's journey from a highly-rated high school recruit to a reliable collegiate lineman has set the stage for his NFL aspirations.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Plus positional flexibility with experience at both tackle and guard spots, offering valuable scheme versatility for NFL fronts.
- Exhibits a strong anchor in pass pro, consistently stonewalling power rushers and maintaining a clean pocket.
- Nasty finisher in the run game, routinely driving defenders off the ball and creating lanes for ball carriers.
- Possesses the frame and length to excel on the edge, with the wingspan to neutralize speed rushers effectively.
- Showcases good football IQ, picking up stunts and blitzes with ease and adjusting well to defensive fronts.
- Demonstrates above-average lateral agility for his size, excelling in zone blocking schemes and reach blocks.
- High-character prospect with a strong work ethic.
- Iron man durability, starting 38 games over three seasons against top-tier Big Ten competition.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Lacks elite foot quickness, potentially limiting his ability to mirror top-tier NFL edge rushers consistently.
- Hand placement can be erratic, often leaving his chest exposed and vulnerable to bull rushes and long-arm techniques.
- Tends to play with a narrow base at times, affecting his balance and ability to sustain blocks through the whistle.
- Can struggle to recover when beaten initially, needing to improve his ability to re-anchor mid-rep.
- May lack the ideal twitch to consistently handle speed-to-power conversions from elite pass rushers at the next level.
Scouting Report: Summary
Nelson profiles as a high-floor prospect with multi-scheme potential. His experience at tackle and guard positions adds value for teams seeking offensive line depth. Nelson's anchoring ability in pass protection and mauler mentality in the run game indicate starter potential, particularly if moved inside to guard.Foot speed limitations may challenge Nelson against elite NFL edge defenders. His optimal NFL fit likely lies at right tackle in a zone-heavy system or at guard, maximizing his strength and road-grading ability. Nelson's durability and consistent performance against top Big Ten competition will attract NFL evaluators.
Transitioning to the NFL, Nelson must refine his hand technique and improve block sustainability. His experience in both power and spread offenses at Wisconsin should ease scheme adaptation. Nelson's size, intelligence, and positional flexibility make him a valuable developmental prospect with potential to outperform his draft position in the right system.
Written By:
K.C. Martinez (Big Ten)
How other scouting services rate Jack Nelson (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
174.5
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
37.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.