The Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, and Chicago Bears all must be feeling some déjà vu. With how Jordan Love played in 2023, it appears the Green Bay Packers have found another franchise quarterback. While that is great news for the Packers, it does make general manager Brian Gutekunst’s job a little more difficult. He must now make sure that his franchise quarterback stays healthy. That is why it wouldn’t be surprising if Gutkeunst spends their first-round pick on adding more talent to the Green Bay Packers offensive line.
Expect Draft Additions on the Green Bay Packers Offensive Line
2023 didn’t start the way that Green Bay Packers offensive line coach Luke Butkus had hoped it would. Along with losing starting left tackle David Bakhtiari after playing in just one game, the Packers offensive line had early struggles. Their struggle was so bad it had many wondering if Butkus would be out of a job at season’s end.
But kudos to Butkus, and head coach Matt LaFleur, for not panicking. Both stayed the course and stuck with their young offensive line. Their patience paid off big and the offensive line hit on all cylinders by the end of the year.
Unfortunately for Gutekunst and the Packers, there have been some key departures to the Packers offensive line this off-season. The losses will force Gutekunst to look for replacements through the NFL Draft. It wouldn’t be surprising if Gutekunst looks early in the draft for help.
Offensive Tackle Depth
With Bakhtiari only able to play in one game last season, the Packers turned to second-year player Rasheed Walker to replace the standout veteran. Walker played in 17 games, starting 15 of them. He had some struggles early but improved down the stretch. In the 851 snaps he played, he had nine penalties and gave up six sacks. With the Packers releasing Bakhtiari this off-season, the starting left tackle spot appears Walker’s to lose.
Butkus and LaFleur appear to be confident to start the season with Walker and starting right tackle Zach Tom as the Packers two starting tackles. Walker seems to progressing while it appears the Packers found a budding star in Tom. But behind Walker and Tom, there are some major depth questions. In 2023, Yosh Nijman served as the primary backup to both Walker and Tom. But the Packers chose to allow Nijman to hit the free-agent market. He signed a two-year contract with the Carolina Panthers.
Now that Nijman is a Panther, the Packers will need to focus on finding a tackle who can provide depth. The Packers seem high on former undrafted free agent Caleb Jones. But Jones seems limited to only playing on the right side. That doesn’t do much for backing up Walker on the left side.
There is a strong chance the Packers might use their first-round pick, 25th overall, on a prospect who can back up both tackle spots. Two possible prospects who might be on the board at 25 are Georgia’s Amarius Mims and Oklahoma’s Tyler Guyton. Both are pretty raw and will need some time to develop. But both have high upside and could eventually develop into starting-caliber tackles.
Finding Help on the Interior of the Offensive Line
During Jon Runyan Jr.’s four-year Packer career, he started 50 games, splitting time between left and right guard. While he did share some time with second-year guard Sean Rhyan during 2023, Runyan Jr. was a mainstay on the Packers offensive line.
Similar to Nijman, the Packers made the difficult decision to allow Runyan Jr. to hit free agency this off-season. He was quickly signed by the New York Giants. Rhyan is expected to get first dibs on trying to replace the former 50-game starter, but there are some questions when it comes to Rhyan. He has shown that he has the ability to run block in the NFL, but there are some concerns about how he will hold up in pass protection. While at UCLA, Rhyan was primarily a tackle, so he is still adjusting to the new position.
Starting right guard isn’t the only spot on the interior of the Packers offensive line that needs depth. While starting center Josh Myers did show some improvement in his third season, he still isn’t playing to the level the Packers had hoped he would be at. He played over 1,000 snaps last season and during that time he was flagged five times and gave up five sacks.
There is a prospect in this year’s NFL Draft that might be a solution at guard as well as center for the Packers. A prospect who might be available when the Packers are on the clock. Duke’s Graham Barton checks all the boxes the Packers look for in an offensive lineman. He not only started at center for Duke but also played at left tackle. Barton has a similar story to Zach Tom. Both played center and left tackle in college, excelling at both positions.
Playing multiple positions is something Gutekunst and Director-Football Operations Milt Hendrickson value in an offensive lineman. Not only could he compete with Myers and Rhyan, but he could be a possible option at tackle.
Main Photo: Mark Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
