Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
Jul 13, 2026 2:15 PM
NFL coaches, executives, and scouts have weighed in on where the Indianapolis Colts' Quenton Nelson ranks among the league's best interior offensive linemen.
Indianapolis Colts LG Quenton Nelson is entering the final year of his contract, but is letting his agent and the Colts' front office worry about it. (Video via Jake Arthur/ColtsRoundtable)More Videos
Quenton Nelson has been as reliable as they come for the Indianapolis Colts throughout his career.
The left guard hasn't missed a game since 2021, which was the only season he's ever missed a start, and has been a Pro Bowler every year of his eight-year career. He's also been an All-Pro in all but two seasons, including last year's Second-Team nod.
Nelson was recently named No. 99 in the NFL's Top 100 players list after allowing just one sack last year, the fifth time in his career he's allowed one or fewer. He also tied career-best marks in pressures allowed (15) and pass-block efficiency (98.7), and had his fewest penalties in a season (2).
For the seventh year in a row, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler polled dozens of NFL coaches, executives, and scouts to find the top 10 players at each position. The interior offensive line rankings were released on Sunday morning, with Nelson coming in at No. 2:
- G Tyler Smith, Dallas Cowboys
- G Quenton Nelson, Indianapolis Colts
- C Creed Humphrey, Kansas City Chiefs
- G Quinn Meinerz, Denver Broncos
- G Joe Thuney, Chicago Bears
- G Chris Lindstrom, Atlanta Falcons
- G Trey Smith, Kansas City Chiefs
- C Tyler Linderbaum, Las Vegas Raiders
- G Peter Skoronski, Tennessee Titans
- C Aaron Brewer, Miami Dolphins
Nelson received the highest vote, No. 2, and the lowest vote, No. 10.
Nelson, a former No. 1 on this list, has been a beacon of consistency for the Colts. He hasn't missed a game in seven of his eight NFL seasons, and he helped the Colts rank ninth in total offense last season.
He is coming off a strong season, and Indy believes he's still very much an anchor at age 30. Most voters agreed.
'Some drop-off but still elite,' an NFC executive said. '[He] was No. 1 for a long time, but the Smiths (Tyler and Trey) and [Quinn] Meinerz are on his heels.'
Added an AFC exec: 'Can anchor, bend, wide. Not as dominant as before but better than he was in 2024.'
Guard Grey Zabel of the Seattle Seahawks, Guard Tyler Booker of the Dallas Cowboys, lineman Elgton Jenkins of the Cleveland Browns, and guard Robert Hunt of the Carolina Panthers were all honorable mentions in Fowler's poll.
Nelson headlines a Colts offensive line that has been known annually as one of the league's best since he was made the No. 6 overall pick in the 2018 draft.
Led by Nelson and the line, the Colts' offense finished second in the league in rushing touchdowns (27) and tied for 10th in yards per carry (4.5).
In 2026, Nelson enters the final year of his contract with the Colts, which may result in him resetting the guard market for the second time in his career.
On Monday morning, the Colts' Jonathan Taylor was named the NFL's No. 5 running back. On Tuesday morning, the Colts' Sauce Gardner was named the NFL's No. 9 cornerback. On Thursday, the Colts' DeForest Buckner was named an honorable mention on the list of top defensive tackles. On Friday, the Colts' Tyler Warren was named the NFL's. No. 5 tight end.
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