It was no suprise the Green Bay Packers spent two of their first four picks on offensive linemen. After losing Corey Linsley, Rick Wagner, and Lane Taylor in the offseason, they certainly needed more depth heading into the 2021 season.

With the 142nd pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Packers may have gotten a steal in athletic offensive lineman, Royce Newman.

The 6-foot-5, 310-pound tackle out of Ole Miss started for two years in college, one season at guard and another at tackle. He only allowed two sacks in 430 pass block reps as the Rebels right tackle in 2020, and only allowed one sack in 416 pass block reps at guard in 2019. Not bad for a linemen who faced athletic SEC pass rushers most weeks.

Newman's versatility to play guard or tackle on both sides of the line certainly brings immediate value to the Packers roster. However, he also possesses plenty of traits to get excited about, making him an intriguing player for Green Bay to develop in the years to come.

After watching four games from this 2020 season (Alabama, LSU, South Carolina, and Indiana), and two games from his 2019 season (Alabama, Arkansas), here is what stands out about Newman's game.

Positive Traits:

1) Great Athlete:

Newman's athleticism and quickness pops on tape. Watch this first clip from his game against LSU in 2020. He quickly fires out of his stance and gets his hands on the defender, but watch how smooth his footwork is to shadow the defensive end's every move. Newman does a great job keeping his feet moving, while staying engaged with his man.

I love the way Royce Newman fires out of his stance, engages, and moves his feet to stay square with the DE. pic.twitter.com/y7RvulhBWD

— Dan Dahlke (@DanDahlke86) May 5, 2021

Now, watch in this next clip from the South Carolina game how quickly Newman gets out on the edge on this reach block. This is exactly what the Packers ask their offensive linemen to do on stretch plays, but it requires linemen to be quick and athletic in order to get the proper leverage against defensive ends.

Newman moves so well laterally, which makes him very effective on reach blocks and sealing the edge in stretch plays. pic.twitter.com/x66TdsHvn4

— Dan Dahlke (@DanDahlke86) May 5, 2021

This next clips is from Newman's 2019 game against Arkansas. He is playing left guard instead of right tackle. I love here how quickly he gets out in the flat on this wide receiver screen. His athleticism and natural movement allow him to engage with defenders out in space. He even shows some physicality here to finish the play.

Here’s a clip of Newman playing LG and getting out in the flat on this WR screen. His athleticism helps him move smoothly and engage with defenders out in space. pic.twitter.com/ihbbjGREsZ

— Dan Dahlke (@DanDahlke86) May 5, 2021

2) Effective Puller:

Newman's athleticism and quickness out of his stance allow him to be a very effective puller, whether that be at guard or tackle. This next clip is from his 2019 Alabama game and he is starting at left guard. Watch how quickly he gets out of his stance, takes a flat step, and kicks out the end.

Newman is quick out of his stance, which makes him an effective puller. He also shows great hat placement once he engages with the kick block. pic.twitter.com/zogGv70LRP

— Dan Dahlke (@DanDahlke86) May 5, 2021

Newman will certainly be asked to pull at guard in the NFL, but even if he gets some reps at tackle, he has the athleticism to change direction and quick burst to pull, get through the line, and get to the second level. Here's a clip from his 2020 game against Indiana. On this play he is lined up at right tackle and pulling left. The play doesn't go his way, but it is impressive how quickly he gets to his spot and accelerates to the linebacker.

Here’s another great example of Newman’s ability as a puller. This time he’s playing RT and watch how quickly he turns up field and gets to the second level. pic.twitter.com/m2OYrpJRJz

— Dan Dahlke (@DanDahlke86) May 5, 2021

Newman's movement and change of direction is very natural and smooth. He also has the quick acceleration to cover ground and be an effective puller at the next level.

3) Quick to the Second Level:

Newman's athleticism and burst out of his stance allow him to get downfield quickly and engage at the second level. This may be the best strength to his game. Watch how in this clip from the Alabama game Newman quickly gains ground on the inside backer and stays step-for-step with him downfield.

Newman’s quickness and footwork allow him to quickly get to the second level and get his hands on LBs. He keeps finding work downfield. pic.twitter.com/tSTVrl4yW8

— Dan Dahlke (@DanDahlke86) May 5, 2021

In this next clip, Newman is playing left guard and within a second of the snap, he is already getting to the second level and squarnig up a linebacker.

Here’s another great example of Newman’s ability to quickly get to the second level. This time he’s playing LG against Alabama. pic.twitter.com/QyKycX9p8a

— Dan Dahlke (@DanDahlke86) May 5, 2021

Newman's ability to gain ground on linebackers is so valuable at the next level. Watch in this next clip from his 2019 Arkansas game, how Newman initially double teams the defensive tackle, but then he passes it off to get to the linebacker. I love how Newman finishes plays and constantly looks for work downfield. 

You have to love here Newman’s ability to work his way to the LB and finish. Ha, he drives his man clear out of the frame. pic.twitter.com/sA3wO4sOGl

— Dan Dahlke (@DanDahlke86) May 5, 2021

Newman brings some physicality to the position. He does a great job keeping his feet moving as he engages on the second level. It is an unfair matchup for smaller linebackers.

4) Good Punch and Drive Out of His Stance:

Newman's punch and forward moving power out of his stance are very good. In this next example from the LSU game, you can see him knock the defender back as the ball is snapped.

Newman has a strong punch out of his stance, which he uses effectively to get DL off balance and back on their heels. pic.twitter.com/HxZm1y77KH

— Dan Dahlke (@DanDahlke86) May 5, 2021

There is nothing more frustrating as a defender than a cantankerous offensive lineman who will punch you in the mouth. Newman plays with violent hands and he packs some power with his punch. Newman's legs are strong, and he can really move guys off their spot once he engages and drives his feet. Watch in this next clip how he moves the defensive tackle one gap over from his spot.

Once engaged, Newman does a great job firing his feet and driving his man off his spot. This creates running lanes for his back. pic.twitter.com/iWrXyi6qgI

— Dan Dahlke (@DanDahlke86) May 5, 2021

It is his forward moving power that makes him a good fit at guard in the NFL. He plays with strong hands, a good base, and quick feet. This next clip from the South Carolina game showcases all three attributes very well.

Here’s another great rep from Newman in the South Carolina game. Once he gets his hands on his guy, he controls him and drives him off the LOS. pic.twitter.com/OEGJPUT9Nh

— Dan Dahlke (@DanDahlke86) May 5, 2021

Newman can simply move people. Pair that with his athleticism and burst, and he has all of the tools to be a very good NFL linemen.

5) Good Technique in Pass Set:

Newman may not be the strongest lineman coming out of college, but he shows very good technique in his pass sets. There's a reason he was so successful in protecting his quarterback at Ole Miss. Newman plays with a good base when engaging with pass rushers. He also shows good arm extension and initial punch. Watch how he stonewalls this Alabama defender.

Great pass set here from Newman. He quickly establishes a strong base, engages his hands on the DE’s chest, and he anchors down. pic.twitter.com/Mirl03MVdd

— Dan Dahlke (@DanDahlke86) May 5, 2021

Newman sets a pretty good base when taking on pass rushers. However, his quick feet and smooth lateral movement are his best attributes as a pass protector. They allow him to shadow defenders and keep them from affecting the pocket. Notice in this next clip how easily Newman moves with his guy, keeping him from gaining any outside leverage.

Here’s another rep later in the Alabama game. Newman moves so well as he sidesteps to shadow the DE. His ability to backpedal while maintaining square to the defender is impressive. pic.twitter.com/2pxDFFtQnf

— Dan Dahlke (@DanDahlke86) May 5, 2021

Newman also shows good pass protection ability at guard. Here is his game in 2019 against Arkansas. He is starting at left guard and the protection calls for him to block down and pick up the defensive tackle.

Here’s a pass rep from Newman playing LG. He does a great job blocking down and moving laterally with the DT to keep him out of the pocket. pic.twitter.com/M6ggsThruD

— Dan Dahlke (@DanDahlke86) May 5, 2021

Newman's quick lateral movement allow him to step inside, engage with the defender, and move with him down the line of scrimmage.

Areas to Improve:

1) Functional Strength:

While Newman possesses strong legs and forward-moving power in the run game, he does lack the elite functional strength to hold up consistently against NFL defensive tackles. 23 reps on the bench are far below the mark teams want in their starting guards. Watch in this next clip against Arkansas how Newman struggles a bit with a big defensive tackle bull rushing him.

One area Newman could improve is functional strength at the next level. It’s an easy fix, but he can be susceptible to bull rushes. pic.twitter.com/X4ZVdUHaEK

— Dan Dahlke (@DanDahlke86) May 5, 2021

Part of the issue here too is that Newman plays too high in this rep, losing the leverage battle soon after the ball is snapped. The Razorback defender completely outpowers Newman and blows up the rushing lane. However, to be fair, this was one of Newman's first starts in college. He did improve in this area in 2020.

With time to develop in a NFL weight room, Newman can certainly fix this deficiency in his game.

2) Play with Better Balance:

Newman is a tremendous athlete for his postion, but he could work on improving his balance and control.  At times, Newman is too eager out of his stance and will get caught lunging at defenders. Savy defensive linemen will take advantage of this. Watch in this next clip how Newman finds himself on the ground as the LSU defender quickly sniffs this out.

Newman can get a little over eager at times as well and get out of balance. Here he lunges and falls victim to a swim move. pic.twitter.com/2b9YgW4NOC

— Dan Dahlke (@DanDahlke86) May 5, 2021

Again, this is a very fixable part of a lineman's game, but ideally, coaches will want him to play with better control and use his feet to get under his block, instead of relying on only using his hands to engage the defender.

Overall, Newman is an exciting prospect that should fit well in the Packerse offensive scheme. His athleticism and versatility at the posiiton bring a lot of value to the roster, and his development could go a long way in filling potential needs on the offensive line.

Getting Newman in the fourth round might not grab any headlines, but we may look back on this selection someday and realize it was quite a steal.