The Atlanta Falcons have selected Jack Nelson, a University of Wisconsin offensive tackle, with the 218th overall pick in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft. This marks the Falcons’ final pick in the draft, during which they acquired five rookies, with Nelson being their first offensive player.
Nelson will join an offensive line where the starting lineup appears set for the upcoming season. However, with veteran tackles like Jake Matthews, 33, and Kaleb McGary, 30, Nelson could provide a potential future option for the team.
Nelson stands 6-foot-7, weighs 318 pounds, and is 23 years old. As a player at the University of Wisconsin, Nelson was a notable performer, starting all 12 games at left tackle in 2024 and earning All-Big Ten honorable mentions in 2021, 2022, and 2024. His durability is evident from his participation in all 51 games over the last four years, starting in 50 of them.
Dane Brugler from The Athletic stated, “Nelson has functional athleticism in his setup to handle swing-tackle duties, although reps can get away from him at times because of inconsistent posture and balance. His run-game tape shows better promise with his lateral maneuvers to reach defenders and his range on backside zone and gap-side cutoffs.”
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com commented, “Durable four-year starter with Wisconsin football racing through his blood. He’s a better run blocker than pass protector on tape, with the quickness and athleticism to find his landmarks on move blocks. He operates with good strain and technique on base and drive blocks but won’t create much push. Nelson’s pass sets can feel frantic with disheveled footwork, inconsistent body control and an anchor that could struggle to withstand NFL speed-to-power. He needs to get stronger, but his instincts and awareness in protection could pair with his range as a move blocker for consideration by zone-heavy teams.”
