Zion Nelson OT Miami | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Zion Nelson OT Miami
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| SUB-POSITION: Left Tackle | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 03/19/2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2026 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 5.03 seconds (89%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| SUB-POSITION: Left Tackle | |
| Last Updated: 03/19/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2026 | |
| 40 time: 5.03 seconds (89%*) | |
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| Overall Rating: | 60.8 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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72% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Pass Blocking: |
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70% |
| Run Blocking: |
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58% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
UDFA
Overall Rank:
#542
Position rank:
#48
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| College Games: 37 College Snaps: 2452 | ||
ESPN RATING: 72/100
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247 RATING: 87/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.4 (89%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Jordan Reid - Michigan State |
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95% |
| Jaylon Thomas - SMU |
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83% |
| Jacob Capra - San Diego State |
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81% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Zion Nelson, a towering offensive tackle from Miami (FL), has had a rollercoaster ride through his college career. The Sumter, South Carolina native arrived in Coral Gables as a raw but promising prospect, quickly earning the starting left tackle job as a true freshman in 2019. Nelson's baptism by fire was challenging, as he allowed the most sacks of any Power Five starting tackle that year.Despite early struggles, Nelson showed resilience and development. He regained his starting role midway through his sophomore season and never looked back. His junior year in 2021 marked a significant leap forward, earning All-ACC Honorable Mention recognition while anchoring Miami's offensive line. Nelson's progress was evident as he started all 12 games at left tackle, helping the Hurricanes' offense put up impressive yardage totals against stout competition.
Unfortunately, Nelson's upward trajectory hit a snag in 2022 and 2023. He saw action in only one game as a redshirt junior before missing his entire fifth year due to injury. This setback raises questions about his durability and readiness for the NFL grind. However, Nelson's potential and previous flashes of high-level play keep him firmly on the NFL Draft radar.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Impressive physical frame with prototypical NFL tackle length, providing a solid foundation for development at the next level
- Showed significant year-over-year improvement, particularly in pass protection, demonstrating coachability and a strong work ethic
- Possesses good lateral agility for his size, allowing him to mirror speed rushers and maintain leverage in pass sets
- Experience against top-tier ACC competition, including matchups with future NFL edge rushers, has prepared him for the pro game
- Displays a nasty streak in the run game, consistently looking to finish blocks and drive defenders off the ball
- Has shown the ability to anchor against power rushers, using his length and improving technique to stymie bull rushes
- Versatile enough to play in both zone and gap schemes, offering flexibility to offensive coordinators at the next level
- High football IQ evident in his ability to pick up stunts and blitzes, rarely looking confused by complex defensive fronts
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Significant injury history in final two seasons raises red flags about long-term durability and ability to withstand NFL rigors
- Run blocking technique needs refinement, as he often relies too heavily on size advantage rather than proper hand placement and footwork
- Can struggle with speed-to-power conversions from elite edge rushers, needing to improve his anchor and core strength
- Tends to play with high pad level at times, compromising leverage and making him susceptible to being driven back into the pocket
- Limited game experience over the past two seasons may have stunted his development and could lead to a steeper learning curve in the NFL
Scouting Report: Summary
Nelson's journey from a raw freshman to an All-ACC performer showcases his potential, but recent setbacks cloud his NFL projection. His blend of size, athleticism, and demonstrated improvement make him an intriguing developmental prospect. Nelson fits best in a system that can afford him time to refine his technique and build on his physical tools.In the right scheme, Nelson could develop into a solid starting tackle. His ability to play in multiple blocking schemes adds to his appeal. However, medical evaluations will be crucial in determining his draft stock. Teams will need to weigh his upside against the injury concerns and potential need for additional development time.
Ultimately, Nelson represents a high-ceiling, moderate-risk prospect. His best football may still be ahead of him if he can stay healthy and continue his upward trajectory. A patient team with a strong offensive line coach could unearth a future starter in Nelson, making him a potential mid-round gem in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Written By:
Felix Green (ACC)
Zion Nelson percentiles vs other Offensive Tackles (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Zion Nelson (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
663.5
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
151.0
*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.