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The Green Bay Packers have already augmented their offensive line group this offseason with the signing of Aaron Banks, but they are still likely to add to the room via the draft.
Athletic testing has been trickling in from the scouting combine and various pro days, which is important information when trying to project who the Packers may be interested in, as they have quite specific parameters on the offensive line in particular.
Green Bay only really drafts college tackles and centers, with guard-only prospects not something they usually attack due to their lack of flexibility to play other positions.
They have not drafted an offensive tackle shorter than 6-foot-4 or taller than 6-foot-6 since 2009. Where other teams covet size, the Packers prefer their offensive linemen to be versatile, and being reasonably proportioned is a part of that.
In conjunction with that, Green Bay's offensive tackles have been no lighter than 299 lbs and no heavier than 321 lbs since 2009. Arm length is another metric that matters, with the Packers not drafting a tackle with shorter than 32 1/4-inch arms.
At center, the ideal dimensions are between 6-foot-3 (although Corey Linsley was shorter at 6-foot-2 1/2) and 6-foot-5 1/5, between 302 pounds (again, Linsley was a significant outlier at 296 pounds) and 313 pounds, with at least 32-inch arms.
Experience is another attractive quality for the scouting staff in Green Bay. The offensive linemen drafted by Brian Gutekunst have an average of over 2,600 snaps in college, with Josh Myers playing the fewest at just over 1,500.
The team also likes its linemen to have at least reasonable athletic testing, although its drafted Myers in the second round who barely tested at all, so it may matter more at tackle.
Based on the thresholds established, a shortlist can be formed ahead of the draft, narrowing down who the Packers are likely to be interested in.
Given their recent investment in the position, it is unlikely they will draft a tackle this year before Day 3, so the list can be tightened up further to only include players who have a chance to fall to at least Round 4.
With that in mind, the list of most likely Packers at offensive tackle is:
At center, there are far fewer options that fit what the Packers like in this year's class, although they already have their starting center in place in Elgton Jenkins, as well as a backup in Jacob Monk.
Grey Zabel, ranked 34 on the consensus big board, would be a strong consideration if he somehow fell to them at 54, as an offensive lineman who has played everywhere along the line except center, where he protects in the NFL.
Other than that, the only players who could be in play at this stage are:
The lowest-ranked player on the consensus big board that Gutekunst has ever drafted was No. 420, so anyone ranked above that number could be a Day 3 option, while anyone after may be an undrafted free agent pickup.
Additional names could emerge as more information rolls in, but as things stand, it appears the Packers will have plenty of opportunities to backfill their offensive tackle/guard depth late in the draft, while the center position is more scarce.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: 2025 NFL draft: 16 offensive line fits for Packers to target
Continue reading...
Athletic testing has been trickling in from the scouting combine and various pro days, which is important information when trying to project who the Packers may be interested in, as they have quite specific parameters on the offensive line in particular.
Green Bay only really drafts college tackles and centers, with guard-only prospects not something they usually attack due to their lack of flexibility to play other positions.
They have not drafted an offensive tackle shorter than 6-foot-4 or taller than 6-foot-6 since 2009. Where other teams covet size, the Packers prefer their offensive linemen to be versatile, and being reasonably proportioned is a part of that.
In conjunction with that, Green Bay's offensive tackles have been no lighter than 299 lbs and no heavier than 321 lbs since 2009. Arm length is another metric that matters, with the Packers not drafting a tackle with shorter than 32 1/4-inch arms.
At center, the ideal dimensions are between 6-foot-3 (although Corey Linsley was shorter at 6-foot-2 1/2) and 6-foot-5 1/5, between 302 pounds (again, Linsley was a significant outlier at 296 pounds) and 313 pounds, with at least 32-inch arms.
Experience is another attractive quality for the scouting staff in Green Bay. The offensive linemen drafted by Brian Gutekunst have an average of over 2,600 snaps in college, with Josh Myers playing the fewest at just over 1,500.
The team also likes its linemen to have at least reasonable athletic testing, although its drafted Myers in the second round who barely tested at all, so it may matter more at tackle.
Based on the thresholds established, a shortlist can be formed ahead of the draft, narrowing down who the Packers are likely to be interested in.
Given their recent investment in the position, it is unlikely they will draft a tackle this year before Day 3, so the list can be tightened up further to only include players who have a chance to fall to at least Round 4.
With that in mind, the list of most likely Packers at offensive tackle is:
- Emery Jones Jr. - LSU (84 on the consensus big board. No athletic testing yet. 2,417 snaps at RT)
- Charles Grant - William & Mary (94. No athletic testing yet. 2,625 snaps at LT)
- Caleb Rogers - Texas Tech (140. 4,321 snaps combined at LT, LG, RG, RT)
- Ajani Cornelius - Oregon (145. Incomplete athletic testing. 3,239 snaps at RT)
- Jalen Rivers - Miami (150. 2,257 snaps at LT and LG)
- Dalton Cooper - Oklahoma State (280. 3,669 snaps at LT)
- John Williams - Cincinnati (300. 1,729 snaps at LT)
- Marques Cox - Kentucky (335. 3,729 snaps at LT)
- Bryce Cabeldue - Kansas (390. 3,036 snaps at LT and RT)
- Esa Pole - Washington State (675. 1,434 snaps at LT. Is scheduled for a pre-draft visit with the Packers)
- Tedi Kushi - Western Michigan (Not ranked. 2,551 snaps at LT and RT)
At center, there are far fewer options that fit what the Packers like in this year's class, although they already have their starting center in place in Elgton Jenkins, as well as a backup in Jacob Monk.
Grey Zabel, ranked 34 on the consensus big board, would be a strong consideration if he somehow fell to them at 54, as an offensive lineman who has played everywhere along the line except center, where he protects in the NFL.
Other than that, the only players who could be in play at this stage are:
- Gus Hartwig - Purdue (360. 3,381 snaps at C and RG)
- Vershon Lee - South Carolina (551. 2,551 snaps at LG, C and RT)
Another Packers-type centerpic.twitter.com/Y6t9gGZY1o
— Mark Oldacres (@MarkOldacres) March 24, 2025
- Logan Zschernitz - Northern Illinois (Not ranked. 3,279 snaps at C and RT)
- Brandon Yates - West Virginia (Not ranked. 3,625 snaps at LT, LG, C, RG and RT)
The lowest-ranked player on the consensus big board that Gutekunst has ever drafted was No. 420, so anyone ranked above that number could be a Day 3 option, while anyone after may be an undrafted free agent pickup.
Additional names could emerge as more information rolls in, but as things stand, it appears the Packers will have plenty of opportunities to backfill their offensive tackle/guard depth late in the draft, while the center position is more scarce.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: 2025 NFL draft: 16 offensive line fits for Packers to target
Continue reading...
