One of the strengths of the Green Bay Packers roster right now is their offensive line. They have done an excellent job over the years finding talented players that get the job done in the trenches at a high level.
This is a unit made up entirely of players that the Packers have either drafted or signed as an undrafted free agent and developed. That kind of continuity is tough to find around the league, but it is one of the reasons that they shouldn’t be underestimated heading into the 2023 season.
If the offensive line can live up to their expectations, they will help overcome a lot of the other issues facing the offense. One of the standouts from this unit is Elgton Jenkins. Jenkins is as versatile as they come, lining up all over the Packers’ offensive line, filling in whenever an injury occurs.
That versatility is a big reason why he landed on the top 50 NFL Draft steals of the last decade list put together by Matt Miller and Jordan Reid of ESPN. Jenkins, a second-round pick, No. 44 overall, in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Mississippi State, came in at No. 36 on their rankings.
“Jenkins was arguably the most versatile blocker in the 2019 class, and he became a starter during his second season in the pros. His ability to play all five spots up front has carried over into the NFL, as he has recorded starts at center, guard and tackle during his four-year career. Jenkins is a key part of the Packers’ line and earned a four-year, $68 million extension in December.”
That kind of versatility is matched by very few players in the NFL. Oftentimes, when a player is tasked with doing that, it is because they are okay everywhere, but not good enough to be a regular at one of the spots. That isn’t the case with Jenkins, who is expected to lock down the left guard spot this season and for the foreseeable future.
Wherever the Packers end up needing him, he has succeeded during his first four seasons in the NFL. He has recorded very impressive block rate win percentages with 93.4 on passing plays and 74.9 on running plays.
Only now entering his prime, Jenkins should be a fixture along the offensive line for years to come. He was the third offensive lineman on Miller and Reid’s list that the Packers selected, along with left tackle David Bakhtiari and center Corey Linsley, who came in at Nos 11 and 46.