Arguably the strongest unit on the Green Bay Packers roster is their offensive line. The potential is there for this to be one of the best groups in the NFL. Being healthy throughout training camp is a big reason why.
Left tackle David Bakhtiari and left guard Elgton Jenkins were both Pro Bowlers the last time they were healthy together in 2020. While it was certainly disappointing that both have dealt with injuries in the seasons since, there was one positive to come out of the time missed.
That positive is Zach Tom. The fourth-round pick out of Wake Forest in 2022 got a crash course of the entire offensive line as a rookie. His versatility was one full display as he played snaps at every position except center, filling in wherever the Packers were short-handed.
This offseason, he has been playing both right tackle and center with the first-team offense. It is safe to say that he will be starting, but which position it will be at is unknown at this time. Center Josh Myes and right tackle Yosh Nijman are battling it out for the final starting spot, with Tom taking over whichever spot is vacant.
Looking at a full-time role in 2023, ESPN analyst Bill Barnwell has selected Tom as one of his breakout candidates this season. He landed in the rotation player to solid starter section of the piece, as Barnwell is expecting him to adjust well to a new role.
“I have Tom listed as an offensive lineman because it’s unclear exactly where he will play in 2023. As a rookie, he lined up everywhere but center at one point or another, including stretches protecting Aaron Rodgers‘ blindside at left tackle. He finished the season allowing just one sack and without committing a single penalty.
After starting camp at right tackle, Tom has been taking snaps as Green Bay’s first-team center. Blessed with a healthy offensive line for the first time in years, the Packers seem to be trying to find scenarios where Tom and 2022 breakout lineman Yosh Nijman can be on the field simultaneously. It’s unclear where Tom will end up playing in the long term, but he appears to be the latest in a series of midround linemen to turn into standouts for the Packers.”
The versatility that Tom possesses is key to the Packers’ game plan in the trenches. Knowing that he is capable of playing at a starter’s level at multiple spots makes life easier for the coaching staff as he can be plugged into the lineup virtually anywhere.
As Barnwell noted, the Packers have a good track record of drafting and developing offensive linemen in the middle-late rounds of the NFL Draft. Tom looks to be the next product of that masterclass, outperforming third-round pick Sean Ryhan.
