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The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who the Green Bay Packers could select in the 2025 NFL draft.
Since taking over as general manager of the Green Bay Packers in 2018, Brian Gutekunst has drafted 14 offensive linemen, with Elgton Jenkins and Zach Tom being his best picks at the position.
Jenkins was the 44th overall pick during the 2019 NFL Draft. During his time at Mississippi State, he started 26 games at center, five at left tackle, two at left guard and one at right tackle. He measured in at the combine at 6-4, 310 pounds, with 34-inch arms.
Tom was the 140th overall pick during the 2022 draft. During his time at Wake Forest, he started 23 games at left tackle and 14 at center. At the combine, he measured in at 6-4, 304 pounds, with 33 1/4 inch arms.
A player in the 2025 draft who's cut from the same cloth is Marcus Mbow. The Purdue offensive lineman checked in at the combine at 6-4, 303 pounds, with 32-inch arms. He finished his career at Purdue with 20 starts at right guard and 12 games at right tackle. During Senior Bowl week, he showcased his ability to play center and he offers five-position versatilty.
"He told me he was asked often asked by scouts if he snapped," Tom Dienhart, the Purdue editor for On3.com, said. "He never did at Purdue. He started games at both guard and tackle. He says he has no preference. I think his size and quickness would fit best on the edge, at left tackle, where he can deal with fast edge rushers."
Mbow is a technician. He has agile feet and plays with natural knee bend, playing low and controlled. With his lateral quickness he shuts down outside rush lanes. The Purdue offensive linemen has quick hands and stays patient with his punch. He's a very alert player and gave up three sacks and 25 pressures this past season, with two of those sacks and five pressures coming during the Week 3 matchup against Notre Dame. Those seem like high numbers, but consider how often Purdue was chasing points this season, allowing defenders to pin their ears back and rush the passer.
"He is good at the shuffle steps back," Dienhart said. "As mentioned, he has quick feet. He was a terrific high school basketball player, so that should tell you about his athletic ability."
Mbow is athletic and nimble. He explodes out of his stance and is an eager blocker. He shows no restrictions when out in space and has good range. He keeps his legs and feet moving at contact to move defenders. He works hard to stay on blocks.
"He is strong at the point of attack," Dienhart said. "He's able to overpower foes with this strength. But Mbow is not a classic mauler. That’s why I think he would be best on the edge at tackle, where you also can put him on the move as a blocker in space and at the next level of the defense."
The Packers appear fairly set with their top six offensive linemen heading into the 2025-2026 campaign. So much so that Jordan Morgan, last year's first round pick could be relegated to the all-important sixth offensive lineman, where he'd provide quality depth at tackle and guard.
Even with the top six in place, the Packers still need to address the depth across the offensive line. On top of that, Rasheed Walker, Sean Rhyan and Zach Tom are all entering contract years.
It's safe to assume that Gutekunst is going to make it a priority to lock Tom up to a long-term deal. Will they make it a priority to re-sign Rhyan and Walker? Morgan could step in and replace either one of them and Gutekunst could use the 2025 draft to find a long-term replacement for whatever position Morgan doesn't step into.
With his versatility and athleticism, Mbow could be a potential target to replace Rhyan or Walker. While he may not see much playing time as a rookie, he could become a long-term fixture along the Great Wall of Lambeau.
"His versatility is a plus," Dienhart said. "I also think he may be one of the most athletic linemen in the draft, which helps when dealing with fast defenders. Mbow also plays with an edge and to the “echo of the whistle,” as scouts like to say. Plus, he’s hungry to prove himself."
There is a lot of talk this offseason about the need for the Packers to add an alpha at wide receiver. While that's important, it's even more important to build the trenches and ensure Jordan Love stays upright and isn't taking a lot of hits.
Mbow is a Day 2 player all day long. The Packers would likely view him as an interior player and if they added him a potential long-term starting offensive line could look something like: Morgan-Aaron Banks-Jenkins-Mbow-Tom. That's a lot of versatilty and athleticism protecting the face of the franchise.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Unpacking Future Packers: No. 30, Purdue OL Marcus Mbow
Continue reading...
Since taking over as general manager of the Green Bay Packers in 2018, Brian Gutekunst has drafted 14 offensive linemen, with Elgton Jenkins and Zach Tom being his best picks at the position.
Jenkins was the 44th overall pick during the 2019 NFL Draft. During his time at Mississippi State, he started 26 games at center, five at left tackle, two at left guard and one at right tackle. He measured in at the combine at 6-4, 310 pounds, with 34-inch arms.
Tom was the 140th overall pick during the 2022 draft. During his time at Wake Forest, he started 23 games at left tackle and 14 at center. At the combine, he measured in at 6-4, 304 pounds, with 33 1/4 inch arms.
A player in the 2025 draft who's cut from the same cloth is Marcus Mbow. The Purdue offensive lineman checked in at the combine at 6-4, 303 pounds, with 32-inch arms. He finished his career at Purdue with 20 starts at right guard and 12 games at right tackle. During Senior Bowl week, he showcased his ability to play center and he offers five-position versatilty.
"He told me he was asked often asked by scouts if he snapped," Tom Dienhart, the Purdue editor for On3.com, said. "He never did at Purdue. He started games at both guard and tackle. He says he has no preference. I think his size and quickness would fit best on the edge, at left tackle, where he can deal with fast edge rushers."
Mbow is a technician. He has agile feet and plays with natural knee bend, playing low and controlled. With his lateral quickness he shuts down outside rush lanes. The Purdue offensive linemen has quick hands and stays patient with his punch. He's a very alert player and gave up three sacks and 25 pressures this past season, with two of those sacks and five pressures coming during the Week 3 matchup against Notre Dame. Those seem like high numbers, but consider how often Purdue was chasing points this season, allowing defenders to pin their ears back and rush the passer.
"He is good at the shuffle steps back," Dienhart said. "As mentioned, he has quick feet. He was a terrific high school basketball player, so that should tell you about his athletic ability."
Mbow is athletic and nimble. He explodes out of his stance and is an eager blocker. He shows no restrictions when out in space and has good range. He keeps his legs and feet moving at contact to move defenders. He works hard to stay on blocks.
"He is strong at the point of attack," Dienhart said. "He's able to overpower foes with this strength. But Mbow is not a classic mauler. That’s why I think he would be best on the edge at tackle, where you also can put him on the move as a blocker in space and at the next level of the defense."
Fit with the Packers
The Packers appear fairly set with their top six offensive linemen heading into the 2025-2026 campaign. So much so that Jordan Morgan, last year's first round pick could be relegated to the all-important sixth offensive lineman, where he'd provide quality depth at tackle and guard.
Even with the top six in place, the Packers still need to address the depth across the offensive line. On top of that, Rasheed Walker, Sean Rhyan and Zach Tom are all entering contract years.
It's safe to assume that Gutekunst is going to make it a priority to lock Tom up to a long-term deal. Will they make it a priority to re-sign Rhyan and Walker? Morgan could step in and replace either one of them and Gutekunst could use the 2025 draft to find a long-term replacement for whatever position Morgan doesn't step into.
With his versatility and athleticism, Mbow could be a potential target to replace Rhyan or Walker. While he may not see much playing time as a rookie, he could become a long-term fixture along the Great Wall of Lambeau.
"His versatility is a plus," Dienhart said. "I also think he may be one of the most athletic linemen in the draft, which helps when dealing with fast defenders. Mbow also plays with an edge and to the “echo of the whistle,” as scouts like to say. Plus, he’s hungry to prove himself."
There is a lot of talk this offseason about the need for the Packers to add an alpha at wide receiver. While that's important, it's even more important to build the trenches and ensure Jordan Love stays upright and isn't taking a lot of hits.
Mbow is a Day 2 player all day long. The Packers would likely view him as an interior player and if they added him a potential long-term starting offensive line could look something like: Morgan-Aaron Banks-Jenkins-Mbow-Tom. That's a lot of versatilty and athleticism protecting the face of the franchise.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Unpacking Future Packers: No. 30, Purdue OL Marcus Mbow
Continue reading...
