Since taking over as the Green Bay Packers general manager, Brian Gutekunst has done a solid job drafting offensive linemen. Gutekunst drafted Elgton Jenkins in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He has become arguably the Packers best offensive lineman. In the 2020 NFL Draft Gutekunst selected Jon Runyan Jr. in the sixth round. Since then, he has started 33 games at left and right guard. It appears Gutekunst has hit gold once again, this time with Zach Tom. So much so, that they need to make Zach Tom a starter on the Green Bay Packers offensive line.
Time to Make Zach Tom a Starter on the Green Bay Packers Offensive Line
It was during the 2022 training camp that Zach Tom grabbed our attention. A fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Tom stood out with his athletic ability and his ability to play multiple positions. The latter no doubt grabbed the attention of Packers coaches.
Playing multiple positions on the offensive line has been a staple for the Packers. That goes all the way back to when James Campen was the Green Bay Packers offensive line coach from 2007-2018. It continued under Adam Stenavich, the current offensive coordinator when he oversaw the offensive line from 2019-2021. Luke Butkus, the current Packers offensive line coach, has continued that tradition.
Tom didn’t need much cross-training when he joined the Packers. While at Wake Forest, he was a standout at center and at left tackle. As a center, he earned honorable mention All-ACC honors. He followed that up by being named All-ACC as Wake Forest’s starting left tackle. The only position he didn’t play was guard, a position he has dabbled at with the Packers.
In his rookie season, Tom made starts at left tackle and left guard. He also spent time at right tackle as well. Overall, he played in nine games, starting five of them. Even in that small amount of time, Tom stood out.
His strong play has continued in this year’s training camp. So much so, that he is creating a problem for Butkus and head coach Matt LaFleur. That problem is where to make him a starter on the Green Bay Packers offensive line.
Right Tackle or Center?
As long as David Bakhtiari is healthy, he will be the Packers starting left tackle. But if something were to happen to him, something the Packers pray doesn’t happen, there will be major changes. Everything points to Bakhtiari finally being healthy, which bolsters the Packers offensive line.
With it looking like Bakhtiari is entrenched at left tackle, there are two possible spots to place Tom. The first option would be at right tackle. A lot has been made of Yosh Nijman being a lineman on the cusp of being a solid NFL starting tackle. But even with all the hoopla, the Packers might feel the best use for Nijman would be as a swing tackle. This way he could backup both left and right tackle. That would allow Bakhtiari to have a proven backup and open space for Tom as the starter at right tackle. Tom has proven he can handle the right tackle position.
The other spot for plugging in Zach Tom would be as the Packers starting center. Current starter Josh Myers is coming off a very disappointing 2022 season. In fact, before being lost to an injury in 2021, Myers wasn’t thriving as the starter either. Entering his third season and now snapping for a first-year starting quarterback in Jordan Love, the Packers can’t risk another disappointing season from Myers.
Tom has been taking snaps at center in camp and even played some in the Packers preseason opener against the Cincinnati Bengals. In the little time he played center, he showed great ability to get out in space and block. Something that Myers hasn’t done in his two seasons as a starter.
Best Five on the Field
So, it comes down to getting the best five offensive linemen on the field at the same time. It shouldn’t come down to potential or the “ceiling” for certain players. Packers fans have been told that this isn’t a “rebuilding” season and that they are all about winning games. If that is true, they need to get their best offensive linemen on the field.
Zach Tom is one of the best Packers offensive linemen. Finding a place for him as a starter is essential. It comes down to either right tackle or center. In our opinion, it’s an easy decision. Tom should be the opening game starter at center.
Myers is a former second-round pick of Gutekunst, something that appears to have a lot of pull in decision-making. But right now, he isn’t one of the best five. Yosh Nijman has put in his time and has proven he should be a starter. The same can’t be said about Myers.
We aren’t saying that the Packers should part ways with Myers. But the Packers need to make sure they protect Love in his first season as a full-time starter. Inserting Tom at center and Nijman at right tackle, and making Myers a reserve would be the best bet for Love and his success.
When the Packers eventually part ways with Bakhtiari, Tom could be the future starting left tackle. But for now, his best place is the Packers starting center.
Main Photo: Mark Hoffman – USA Today Sports
