Packers High on Ben Braden Entering Training Camp
Green Bay believes offensive lineman Ben Braden will compete for a starting job at multiple positions.
We are less than a month away from the start of Green Bay Packers training camp, and Ben Braden is a name you need to watch out for once practice starts.
So far, Braden has had a strong offseason. He’s made a strong impression on coaches, earning the opportunity to run with the starting offense during practice. Braden filled in at left tackle for an injured David Bakhtiari, but he could compete for playing time at tackle and guard, according to Packers offensive line coach Adam Stenavich.
“I’m actually really excited about Ben to see what’s going to happen with him because I think he gets a whole offseason under his belt, a couple of preseason games, I think he’s gonna really compete for a starting job at guard or tackle,” said Stenavich.
“Ben is a really big guy. He has strength, he’s got good athleticism, and he’s very versatile.”
Braden signed with Green Bay in October of last year and was active for four games during the regular season. After Bakhtiari suffered a knee injury leading up to the season finale, Braden was again promoted to the active roster and remained there through the playoffs as an emergency backup.
Now that he has a full offseason with the Packers, Braden has a chance to not only make the roster in 2021 but possibly earn playing time. In three seasons, Braden is still waiting for his first NFL start.
Braden made 36 starts at the University of Michigan at multiple positions. He showed his versatility making starts at left guard, left tackle, and right tackle. Braden went undrafted during the 2017 NFL Draft but was later signed by the New York Jets.
Braden has bounced around to a couple of different teams in his career and actually had a short stint in Green Bay during the 2019 season. After getting released by the Jets, the Packers signed Braden a couple of days later to the practice squad. He remained there for about two months before being released.
Braden's rocky journey has led him back to Green Bay with a decent shot of sticking around. Bakhtiari’s injury certainly works in his favor, but it sounds like the team will give him a look at some of their weaker spots on the offensive line, as well. During training camp, expect Braden to compete for reps at either guard spot or right tackle.
The Packers starting center for the last seven years, Corey Linsley, left via free agency this offseason. They also veteran tackle Rick Wagner after one season. Because Green Bay lacks depth at key positions, Braden will need to make the most of this opportunity.
Brandon Carwile is a Packers writer who also enjoys watching and breaking down film. Follow him on Twitter @PackerScribe.
Comments (30)
splitpea1
June 30, 2021 at 12:28 pm
So if Newman and Braden are this promising, why did we draft ANOTHER offensive lineman in the sixth round? It seems like it would have made a little more sense to fill an existing need, like maybe our first cheerleader.
PackerAaron
June 30, 2021 at 03:02 pm
Because that's how you grow an offensive line.
splitpea1
June 30, 2021 at 03:56 pm
You said that a couple of days ago....Two draft prospects were sufficient, but three's a crowd, especially since we took three in the previous year's draft. So is a small army of OL prospects competing for a backup role really necessary , or could one or more of those picks be used to upgrade the defense or special teams--places with weak spots on the roster for years? We lost Linsley and Wagner, and those positions were addressed in the second and fourth rounds--no need for any further attention!
Coldworld
June 30, 2021 at 05:23 pm
That was my gut reaction, but I think the plan is to try both to increase the ability of the lowest starter and to build better young depth. A true competition.
dobber
June 30, 2021 at 07:49 pm
Early prediction: Lucas Patrick gets dealt before the end of camp.
greengold
June 30, 2021 at 09:53 pm
I think you’re right. He’s a great dude, versatile, but possible cap cut.
Thegreatreynoldo
July 01, 2021 at 03:20 am
I have suggested that GB might trade Patrick for $1.9M in cap savings and a 5th/6th round pick. I have not been so bold as to predict it because I am not so sanguine over the likes of Runyan, Myers, Newman, Braden, Stepaniak, Van Lanen, Cronk, Nijman, Hanson...........................
I like some of those guys. I just like the OL depth a lot more when there are 16 names than I fear I will when there are 9 or possibly 10.
greengold
July 01, 2021 at 06:39 am
Ha! You’re right, he’s that good, and that versatile. At some point, they’ll have to decide, and the numbers games play out.
Numbers in terms of both the players added to take over and the cap dollars.
There’s a 3rd numbers game which involves sacks allowed, hurries allowed, QB Hits allowed and quality run blocks. Patrick is a known quantity there.
Good point.
Coldworld
July 01, 2021 at 08:14 am
I would not be shocked if there are a number of good showings among the youngsters. I do think that this is really a plan for next year though, to have depth this year that they believe will be ready to take over next year. Trades this year would be a possible bonus if things go well.
PackerAaron
July 01, 2021 at 12:04 am
"those positions were addressed in the second and fourth rounds--no need for any further attention!" - and if those players don't hit? You win games in the trenches. Absolutely nothing wrong with adding young (cheap) players with upside to compete. Also, after the fourth round, almost any draft pick is a lottery ticket. They've found long term starters on Day Three before. Nothing wrong with stocking up.
greengold
July 01, 2021 at 06:52 am
Yeah. Gutekunst & his staff employed the 12 gauge shotgun approach on OL. Double barrels.
Can’t argue it if they realize success. I find Yosh Nijman to be the most beautiful mystery of 2021, thus far. Is he any good? Will he start, or will he be cut?
Is he the reason that lends credence to finding OL help from anywhere, or is he the cause of a mad scramble to add OL from anywhere and everywhere?
Packer Fan world wants to know.
splitpea1
July 01, 2021 at 08:22 pm
No sale.... You win games in a number of ways, including the offensive trenches. The offensive line, while facilitating such activities, does not carry, catch, or throw the ball; they do not defend, intercept, or strip the ball; they do not return, kick, or punt the ball; they do not score touchdowns (for the most part); they do not sack the opposing quarterback or render him ineffective.
Yes, the Packers have found gems on the OL on Day 3 before, but I believe they should have been looking at other position groups--maybe they could have found a gem there. Our line has versatile players, and we already have plenty of players competing for backup spots. Who knows if the other sixth-round prospects selected will be any good, but who knows if the guy we chose will be any good and stick?
Now if we were discussing the Bears, I would wholly agree that spending an additional pick on the OL would be a prudent decision. But thankfully we're not them.
jont
June 30, 2021 at 07:51 pm
I hear you, but think about the 6th round. Not many really good players left-- some, but not many. The GM takes the best available by his assessment and hopes the coaches can make him into a contributor.
splitpea1
June 30, 2021 at 08:24 pm
That's a fair point. I just would have preferred they took a shot at another DB or LB that could help the special teams with that pick, or maybe traded up slightly in the round for another DL, if possible.
Stroh
June 30, 2021 at 10:21 pm
How do you know for certain on draft night that they will all be good players? You don't... if they all do great problem to have. Beats the alternative. And yeah, in the 6th rd you take BPA hoping he becomes a contributor not necessarily a starter. Building depth.
dobber
June 30, 2021 at 09:12 pm
Could be those late-round lottery tickets from 2020 were not so impressive and they thought they needed to do better?
Coldworld
July 01, 2021 at 08:15 am
Or that they saw so little of them that they wanted to improve the odds?
dobber
July 01, 2021 at 09:07 am
I like your answer better!
Leatherhead
June 30, 2021 at 08:54 pm
Because there has never been a team in the history of the NFL with too many good players on the offensive line.
greengold
July 01, 2021 at 07:35 am
We didn’t have enough quality OTs last year, and that was part of our demise. Gutekunst saw that. I’m sure he recognizes it was his error. I don’t foresee that ever happening again if he can help it.
Packerpasty
July 01, 2021 at 11:55 am
because at this time of year when the news is slow all these people who probably won't be on the active roster are all of a sudden very exciting prospects...future all stars...
Roadrunner23
June 30, 2021 at 12:33 pm
This is an old story line already Brandon, damn this is a slooooowwwwwwwwww time of the year!
Go Brewers!
LambeauPlain
June 30, 2021 at 02:26 pm
Gutey and Matt like B1G lineman!
Myers, Runyon, Braden, Stepaniak, Van Lanen, Dietzen, Cronk...they are half the OL room!
GregC
June 30, 2021 at 06:10 pm
It would be interesting to hear why Braden went undrafted and why his career now appears to be on the upswing. What changed for him?
dobber
June 30, 2021 at 07:50 pm
Right scheme, right coaches, right time in his career...
greengold
July 01, 2021 at 07:02 am
The fruits of hard work, determination & persistence were beared.
Coldworld
July 01, 2021 at 08:22 am
Horrid technique. He just wasn’t ready for the NFL despite athletic ability. If he is ready now, it means that the 4 seasons since college have given him the ability to harness his physical gifts.
He is not as athletic as Nijman, but there are similarities. Both played a lot and were allowed to just use natural ability in college. To what extent could NFL coaching teach technique and unlock that in a way that would enable them to win consistently against NFL opposition?
Stroh
June 30, 2021 at 10:12 pm
An OL , much like QB, doesn't really compete for playing time.. Your either a starter or a backup. You compete to start. Because of the continuity required on the OL, there is no rotation. The starter play every snap almost without fail, until one is hurt and a backup replaces him.
dobber
July 01, 2021 at 09:09 am
Very true--and you need to come up with 5 guys who can do it.
flackcatcher
July 01, 2021 at 12:02 pm
Also, take a look at the OL roster. How many veteran contracts are up in 2022-2023. Gute and his team have to take that into context when they draft. With the after effects of both Cap deflation, and Covid-19 still looming large, the Packers but the entire league is navigating unknown territory.