Typically, when you invest heavily in a position group via free agency and with high draft picks, it’s because the players filling those spots on your roster have underwhelmed or aged out of their prime.
The Green Bay Packers forked over big money to bring in left guard Aaron Banks in free agency. They also used a second-round pick on offensive lineman Anthony Belton, a year after taking Jordan Morgan in the first round.
However, Green Bay’s offensive line has been fine. Of all the position groups on the team entering training camp, Matt LaFleur and Co. should feel most confident in the big boys up front on the offensive side.
Elgton Jenkins has played left guard at an All-Pro level for years in Green Bay. Due to the addition of Banks this offseason, who will feature strictly at left guard, Jenkins will be sliding to center.
Moving an All-Pro-caliber player from one position to another is typically a no-no. However, because of Jenkins’ versatility, the Packers can move him and believe he will thrive at center.
When general manager Brian Gutekunst spoke at the owners’ meetings in late March, he didn’t hesitate when proclaiming his confidence in Jenkins’ move to the middle of the line.
We feel he’s got a chance to be an All-Pro center. We’ve talked about it a lot, how versatility plays into our offensive line and having guys that can move to different spots, and Elgton’s one of those guys who can play all five spots. So, he’s a luxury, but I’m excited to see what he can do at center, as well.
Pulling the trigger on such a move and feeling abundantly confident about it speaks to the faith the team has in Jenkins, and also in how well they’ve managed their O-line.
In almost any other situation, Rasheed Walker would undoubtedly be the starting left tackle for Green Bay going into 2025. Walker has protected the blind side of Jordan Love each of the last two seasons and has done so admirably. He’s developing into a tackle who might not flash huge strengths but who makes up for that by not having many weaknesses. He’s done a good job with his duties of making sure Love doesn’t get hit, which is the ultimate goal.
With Green Bay’s investment of a first-round pick in Morgan last year, the team has already announced there will be an open competition for the starting left tackle spot. It’s not because Walker has played poorly. Instead, it’s because Walker is entering a contract year and the Packers are eager to see what they have in their 2024 first-round pick. Walker has proven to be an above-average left tackle, and yet the Packers believe they may have something better in Morgan. It highlights how much depth they have up front.
Despite having abundant options, Green Bay used another premium pick in the second round on Belton in April. The North Carolina State product almost exclusively played left tackle in college. Still, the Packers could have other plans for him.
Like Walker, what Sean Rhyan has given the Packers at right guard would typically warrant him getting an easy nod for 2025, and likely beyond. However, Rhyan is also entering a contract year. After picking Morgan and Belton in the last two drafts, one has to wonder if Rhyan will be playing his final year in Green Bay.
With all the proven production Green Bay has on the offensive line, Morgan and Belton may be backups next year. That’s how well the Packers have built and developed this offensive line.
You could argue that the Packers should have kept Jenkins at left guard and either drafted a center or spent a little money for Josh Myers to stay put. Instead, Myers went to the New York Jets; the Packers paid a hefty price for Banks and will move Jenkins. Despite having an already solid offensive line, Gutekunst wanted to take it to another level by adding Banks to the equation.
So far, LaFleur likes what he’s seeing from the left guard, who is playing in a similar scheme to his time spent in San Francisco.
He’s a pretty big guy out there and he’s played a lot of football and there were a lot of similarities in the schemes from where he came from to what we do. He provides us with, obviously we know what he’s capable of doing, but it also provides a lot of flexibility with everyone else around him.
The Packers have a slew of good wide receivers, but nobody has emerged as a true No. 1. The Packers also have a deep running back room. Still, much of their success hinges on Josh Jacobs. The one group that is unambiguously, unassailable excellent is along the offensive line.