Niner Noise
FanSided

2018 NFL Draft: Two-round mock for all 32 teams across the league

By Peter Panacy

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell speaks during the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell speaks during the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 02: Notre Dame offensive lineman Quenton Nelson in action during the 2018 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 02: Notre Dame offensive lineman Quenton Nelson in action during the 2018 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

57. . Offensive Guard. Notre Dame. Quenton Nelson. 8. player

Wide receiver was initially a need for the Chicago Bears this offseason, but they addressed that in free agency by adding Allen Robinson and slot receiver Taylor Gabriel.

Now that Chicago spent big money to give second-year quarterback Mitchell Trubisky some playmaking weapons, the next task is to load up on blue-chip players to protect him. And with veteran guard Josh Sitton departing via free agency, this pick is an easy one for the Bears to make.

It’s rare to see offensive guards taken in the top 10 of the NFL Draft, but Quenton Nelson is a different breed. He’s easily the best offensive lineman in this year’s class, and his abilities on the field immediately help negate some of the better interior pass-rushers Trubisky will have to face in the coming years.

Plus, it helps Nelson’s former position coach at Notre Dame, Harry Hiestand, is now on the Bears staff.