Lots Of Competitors For Offensive Line Jobs

The Inexperienced Bay Packers are making a quarterback change for the primary time in 15 years.

They’ll have the youngest vast receiver group within the Nationwide Soccer League and will lean closely on a pair of rookie tight ends.

After having a veteran roster the final a number of years, the Packers determine to be one of many league’s youngest groups this fall. And which means a number of jobs might be vast open when coaching camp begins on July 26.

Forbes is analyzing a number of of the positional battles that await. In the present day we have a look at the offensive line.

Offensive line

Josh Myers vs. Jon Runyan vs. Yosh Nijman vs. Zach Tom vs. Shaun Ryan

The Packers return all 5 starters from final yr in (from left) David Bakhtiari, Elgton Jenkins, Myers, Runyan and Nijman.

However with stable depth — led by the extraordinarily versatile Tom — jobs might be fought for all through the summer season.

“We’ve received loads of competitors on the appropriate aspect, whether or not it’s proper guard, proper sort out and even middle,” mentioned offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich. “So we’re simply going to go on the market and type of put these guys in several spots. Getting these greatest 5 on the market that jell one of the best and are probably the most bodily, that’s what I’m in search of.”

Tom appears to participant probably to crack the beginning 5. He began 5 video games final yr, performed in 9 and gave up only one sack in 489 offensive snaps.

Tom completed with a grade of 68.3 from Professional Soccer Focus, which was increased than Nijman (63.1), Runyan (62.6) and Myers (60.4).

“He’s versatile, like we like,” common supervisor Brian Gutekunst mentioned of Tom this offseason. “I believed popping out that his greatest spot could be middle. I feel he might try this very properly. The best way he performed at sort out and guard (in 2022) possibly opened my eyes that he’s received possibly extra potential there, as properly. Definitely, he’s going to be within the combine.”

And that places everybody on discover.

Myers performed 1,091 of 1,094 snaps final season (99.73%), greater than any of Inexperienced Bay’s offensive lineman. Myers, a second spherical decide in 2021, allowed three sacks and had three penalties.

It was a stable season for Myers, who missed 11 video games attributable to damage as a rookie. However Myers by no means got here near taking part in at a dominant degree, and the Packers might be in search of him to make a bounce when coaching camp begins.

“I can let you know guys what my mindset is on it, and my mindset is that this can be a enterprise they usually’re going to attempt to push all of us as a lot as they’ll they usually’re not going handy a spot to a man in the event that they don’t should,” Myers mentioned. “They usually’re going to push us and whoever’s one of the best goes to return out taking part in. That’s simply the way in which it’s. And it’s nothing new to me. I’ve competed for spots for a very very long time.”

Nijman began 11 video games at proper sort out, however gave up 5 sacks and was penalized 10 instances. Whereas Nijman was stable a lot of the season, he was additionally benched for Tom in a Week 18 house loss in opposition to Detroit.

Maybe the most secure participant on the appropriate aspect is Runyan, who performed 96.1% of the snaps at proper guard, had only one penalty and allowed three sacks.

“It’s a contest in every single place,” offensive line coach Luke Butkus mentioned. “We’ve received loads of expertise within the at room proper now, and that’s an excellent factor. Guys pushing to get higher, that’s the way you get higher, proper? Good vs. good. These guys are pushing themselves. Earlier than Recreation 1, we’ll determine it out.”

PREDICTION

A yr in the past, Royce Newman — a 17-game starter who performed almost 1,100 snaps as a rookie — misplaced his beginning job in coaching camp. It appears possible that Tom — who made 4 begins at left sort out, one at left guard and performed some proper sort out final yr — might cross one of many incumbents this time round.

“Zach, he’s versatile,” Butkus mentioned. “All of us noticed that final yr. He’s going to have a possibility to play a pair totally different spots this yr, and we’re excited for it. How do we discover out? By repetition. Soccer’s a recreation of repetition. He’ll take loads of reps at sort out, he’ll take loads of reps at guard and possibly at middle, as properly.”

The Packers appeared decided to mild a hearth below Myers this offseason. However contemplating he’s probably the most skilled middle on the roster, and Inexperienced Bay is making a quarterback change, the guess is Myers retains his job.

As an alternative, search for Tom to unseat Nijman at proper sort out throughout camp. Whereas Nijman (6-7, 314) has the dimensions benefit, Tom (6-4, 304) is the extra athletic participant.

The Packers are blessed with terrific offensive line depth and may subject a top-five unit if Bakhtiari and Jenkins keep wholesome. And the guess right here is after a spirited summer season, Inexperienced Bay’s line in Week 1 might be Bakhtiari, Jenkins, Myers, Runyan and Tom.