Mighty Green Bay Packers: Pre-Draft OL Depth Chart

That Hanson guy must really suck!

You learn something new every day. I didn’t realize his last name was Sucks!

Healthier versions of Bak & Jenkins will go a long way in improving our o-line. In addition, Myers & Runyan need to play better, which leads me to believe that competition at their positions will be a priority. 

@Packiderm posted:

That Hanson guy must really suck!

Hanson most certainly sucks:

Anywhere right of Jenkins could use attention. Tom/Nijman isn't an ideal RT competition unless Tom has added a good deal of mass this offseason. Maybe Newman or Rhyan will show something, but they may also be competing for the same roster spot at RT/RG.

Best guess for roster spots:

Almost assuredly: Bakhtiari, Jenkins, Tom, Myers, Nijman, Draft Pick

Likely: Runyan

Next-best chance due to investment: Rhyan, Newman

Everyone else

7 starting-caliber OL...
Daktari, Nijman, Tom at T, and Jenkins at G seem to be the biggest strengths as of the end of last season. RJR and Newman at G and Myers at C makes up 7, but...
If those last 3 can't step back up to at least their 2021 level, preferably better, they are better suited to being a primary backup rather than starter.
However, if the Packers draft an OL or sign a FA, they will have to be good enough to overcome the biggest advantage these guys have--experience, to become a starter.
Another factor is Nijman can play at RT, but he's nowhere near as effective as he is at LT. JMO. If he is limited to being the primary backup there, it may add another need to the starters list.

As always, we have to look at the 2nd-year guys (Jones, Walker, Rhyan, etc.) to see if their development continues.
I believe the Packers have a good pool of talent to develop into a formidable OL; it's just a matter of getting the cream to rise to the top.

That " 7 starting caliber OL" with some potential back-ups is why I think we should not draft one too high. Our biggest "holes " imo are TE, DL ,safety, vet WR, #3 RB, vet QB and kicker. I am sure I left something out but I am sure someone will tell me. 

@The Grinder posted:

That " 7 starting caliber OL" with some potential back-ups is why I think we should not draft one too high. Our biggest "holes " imo are TE, DL ,safety, vet WR, #3 RB, vet QB and kicker. I am sure I left something out but I am sure someone will tell me. 

Packers will keep adding OL...always need more jars on the shelf. They have changed a bit under Gute, using a 2nd on Jenkins and on Myers. Ideally, you'd like to see the OC position solidified so that Love and the OC can get in sync as far as handling line calls and ass sweat.

Packers stocked the LT spot with 4th rounders and UDFA, so they don't need to spend a top pick on OL unless they are convinced Bak is moved after '23.

Buck Cherry was a 4th rounder himself. Don't necessarily NEED a high pick to find an effective LT.

@Satori posted:

Packers will keep adding OL...always need more jars on the shelf. They have changed a bit under Gute, using a 2nd on Jenkins and on Myers. Ideally, you'd like to see the OC position solidified so that Love and the OC can get in sync as far as handling line calls and ass sweat.

Come on, man.  I don't want to have to think about ass sweat until at least June.

OT prospect who will be battling at RT in 2023

# 78 Luke Tenuta

6' 8"  319, ran a 5.25 at his pro day

From Dane Brugler's Draft Preview, Tenuta was ranked at # 22 OT prospect in the 2022 draft

"A three-year starter at Virginia Tech, Tenuta was the starting left tackle in former offensive coordinator Brad Cornelsen’s zone-based offense. The son of longtime college defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta, he started opposite Christian Darrisaw for two seasons before taking over his left tackle duties in 2021, earning All-ACC honors.
Tenuta is a heady, efficient blocker and relies on his instincts to aid his body control when pass blocking versus rushers in space. However, his leverage issues and limited range create soft corners and he struggles to sustain as a run blocker. Overall, Tenuta has relatively clean college tape, but his traits leave question marks about his pro transition because of his lack of length, explosiveness and power. He is a potential backup at right tackle."

Tenuta played sparingly last year, but he did get on the field
He's had a year to get beefier and hone his technique vs pro DL

OT Caleb Jones # 72

Absolutely immense human at 6'9" and 345 - 375 lbs. Struggled with weight issues, but reports out of GB say he's got it under control.

Caleb Jones appeared in 41 games for the Hoosiers and started the final 31 contests. He made 24 starts at right tackles and six at left tackle. In 2019, Jones earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors from the league's coaches after making 12 starts at right tackle and one at left tackle. In 2020, he helped Indiana lead the Big Ten in fewest sacks allowed per game (1.25), which tied for No. 17 nationally.

Here's a quick video with him on cut down day last year, before the cuts
He didn't make the initial 53 but was brought back on PS and soon the 53 after he got another offer

https://www.packers.com/video/...-play-in-this-league

"The mystery over why the Green Bay Packers put promising young tackle Caleb Jones on the non-football injury list is over.

He had mononucleosis.

Jones practiced for the first time since Sept. 16, opening a three-week window available to the Packers to evaluate him and decide whether to add him back to the 53-man roster. He practiced in pads and said he felt stronger than he was before the illness struck him.

“I think today I went out there in practice and shocked a lot of people,” Jones said. “I can't wait to see what the coaches have to say after reviewing the film.”

Jones became a favorite to many fans when they saw the potential the 6-foot-9, 340-pound tackle showed during training camp. Overweight and out of shape his final two years at Indiana, Jones lost more than 30 pounds in the spring and joined the Packers as an undrafted free agent. "

https://www.packersnews.com/st...ractice/69674161007/

OG prospect  Sean Rhyan # 75

Brutal rookie season, don't have much to go on in terms 2022 performance
Grew up playing rugby, tree trunks for thighs

From Brugler, pre-draft. Rhyan was ranked # 7 out of 26 OGs reviewed

" A three-year starter at UCLA, Rhyan anchored the left tackle position in head coach Chip Kelly’s zone read scheme. A rugby player growing up, he started
playing football in high school and continued to blossom for the Bruins, showing steady improvement each season and growing into one of the best left tackles on the West Coast. Rhyan is a powerful blocker who understands blocking leverage and how to anchor. However, he looked like a guard playing tackle on tape because of his lack of range, fluidity and recovery skills in space.
Overall, Rhyan is strong and balanced in both the run game and passing game, but he must play with quicker hands/feet and more efficient weight distribution for him to make it.

He does his best work in short areas, projecting as a guard with NFL starting potential in either a power or zone scheme"

Caleb Jones needs to make this team as a starter this year. They don't have  guys like this growing on trees everywhere. I have a good feeling about him. Rasheed looked decent in his debut last year as well. Rhyan is a sleeper who might surprise as well.

@The Grinder posted:

Caleb Jones needs to make this team as a starter this year.

Well, here's the thing: There are (3) competent OTs in front of him on the depth chart, so maybe the goal would be to compete at starter next year.

GB used the RFA tender on Nijman, so they see something in him. Bak's deal has to be either re-done or get traded next offseason. DBs 2024 cap hit is currently a whopping $40M

From The Athletic

Yosh Nijman is the # 27 rated Free Agent going into 2024 season

"Nijman is far from a household name, but he’s played left tackle (782 snaps) and right tackle (528) since 2020 at an above-average level. Those guys get paid, and paid big. He’s been best on the left, allowing three sacks and a 2.94 percent pressure rate, compared to five and 4.36, respectively, on the right. A restricted free agent this offseason, Nijman received the second-round tender (worth $4.3 million) from the Packers. He could push for $17 million or more annually on his next deal. "

https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft...smile-2023-nfl-draft

He should be wearing a Bison.

@GBFanForLife posted:

https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft...smile-2023-nfl-draft

Looks like a young Josh Sitton 😃

Perfect 3rd-round pick.

Why do you hate him so much, Timmy?

Looks good in green and gold ...

But he needs to lose the DayGlo yellow gloves if he's going to clamp on to NFL DL'men.

@Boris posted:

Looks like a young Josh Sitton 😃

From Dane Brugler

SUMMARY: A three-year starter at North Dakota State, Mauch manned the left tackle position in offensive coordinator Tyler Roehl’s run-heavy, gap-power scheme. A 220-pound walk-on tight end, he morphed into a 300-pound left tackle, which has been a smooth transition because of his natural athleticism and unrestrained
intensity (had his two front teeth knocked out during a seventh-grade basketball game and doesn’t plan to have them replaced until he is done with football).

Although he wasn’t often challenged on an island in pass protection, Mauch has the foot quickness and body control to comfortably operate in space and skillfully
maneuver from block to block. His technical approach needs continued refinement, but he is a sticky blocker in the run game, using his hands to latch, create leverage
and reset engagement.

Overall, Mauch doesn’t have ideal length or sand in his lower body, but he has outstanding movement skills, fierce handwork and innate
competitiveness to become a starter early in his NFL career. He should get a look at tackle first but also projects well inside, reminiscent of Mitch Morse.

GRADE: 2nd Round No. 45 overall

@antooo posted:

Looks good in green and gold ...

But he needs to lose the DayGlo yellow gloves if he's going to clamp on to NFL DL'men.

Exactly.
If I were the equipment manager -  I'd have OL gloves made up in the color of every opponent's jersey.

@GBFanForLife posted:

https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft...smile-2023-nfl-draft

I hear he is a real "Bad Ass".  One of those 3 thirds would be nice. Break the curse.

I'd hate to do that to him.

@The Grinder posted:

I hear he is a real "Bad Ass".

So he doesn't have nice bubble?

Several years ago, also in a draft thread, somebody posted a quote from a Tennessee coach. He was referring to an OL prospect and said something like "he has a better ass than this quarter horse I own!".

From that moment on, I've always thought that was the best measuring stick.
Better than bubble, better than pad level, better than BFI...

Hey guy's I am just saying I would rather he was a Bad Ass than having a bubble on his ass!?! EeWW how would he get one there?     

https://www.packers.com/news/p..._0yn8SocdiQ6MqEhdO1o

Pre-draft picture: Experience, depth both prevalent on Packers' offensive line
Thirteen linemen return, eight with NFL starts to their credit

" ...That's 13 returnees in all on the offensive line, the largest contingent in recent memory and the reason Gutekunst has expressed so much faith and optimism in this group for 2023."

Are we happy to have them all back ?  Maybe. Hanson still sucks

Football Outsiders has OL- specific rankings:
( not a paywall, but you have to sign up)

https://www.footballoutsiders....basic-offensive-line

2022 Packers were the   # 6 pass blocking unit  -
- that seems pretty good in a passing league

2022 Packers were the  # 2 run blocking line  -
- that seems pretty good for an HC who wants to run the ball

2023 will be a little different because the threat of AR deciphering the defense prior to the snap will be diminished - but they're a damn good unit and should adjust.

IIRC, a couple of years ago, the OL, without Daktari or Jenks, seemed to solidify after the first 4 weeks or so of that season, and played very well for for the remainder, although their performance began to wane the last couple of weeks.
Then came that bizarre decision to change the starters/shuffle the line for the playoff game, and they went straight to hell.

At the beginning of the next year, this same core of players that were so good the year before, weren't close to the same. After several weeks, changes were made, and they started playing better, but still not as good as that previous year.

I expect them to be much better this year. Bak and Jenkins should have the left side anchored, Tom emerged as a player last year, Yosh is still solid, so there's a good base.
RJR and Myers have another year of experience, and have potential to be better, and they will have to be. They may be be but a draft pick away from riding the pine.

They also moved Adam Stenavich from O-Line coach to OC.

Hard to say how much of a factor that was in the OL regression, but I'm hoping that Luke Butkus settles into the job, and with a healthy OL room, solidify the LOS this year.

@antooo posted:

They also moved Adam Stenavich from O-Line coach to OC.

Hard to say how much of a factor that was in the OL regression, but I'm hoping that Luke Butkus settles into the job, and with a healthy OL room, solidify the LOS this year.

Antoo I think they key word in your post is healthy.  When you have your two best stud OL out for a good portion of they year things will be in flux.  I feel that of all the position groups OL is the one where you need all five of them working together as one.  When your all pro LT is a mystery from week to week that not only affects the OL but what you do on offense.

@Timmy! posted:

....
Then came that bizarre decision to change the starters/shuffle the line for the playoff game, and they went straight to hell.

I get they didn't think Nijman could hold up at LT in the playoffs, but what made them think flipping Billy Turner to the other side would be better? He'd been a right-side-only lineman for quite a while at that point. They weakened both bookends against teams with outstanding edge rushers.

Nijman is a nice story, but counting on him as more than a swing tackle is a mistake, I think, and his contact reflects they are probably thinking the same.

Probably the same thoughts that Jenkins could play RT last season.

@antooo posted:

the OL regression

According to Football Outsiders:

2022 Packers were the   # 6 pass blocking unit  -

2022 Packers were the  # 2 run blocking line  -

Gute Quote from Combine

“I think early on we had some struggles where we just weren’t comfortable. I don’t think the offense was really comfortable,” Gutekunst said at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis in February. “But as (Bakhtiari) came back and Elgton got healthier and started playing better ... I think those guys started to gel. Really, the second half of the season I thought they played outstanding. Even the games where David was out for his appendectomy, I thought the guys really played well.”

Others have mentioned it -  but its worth noting the coaching changes at OC, OL, QB coach that can have an impact on the OL's performance early in the season.

Pretty obvious that the o-line struggle (mainly due to Bak / Jenkins injury recovery) cost us some games early in the season. These were our opening day starters

LT 73 Y.Nijman  LG 76 J.Runyan  C 71 J.Myers  RG 67 J.Hanson  RT 70 R.Newman