Packers Right Tackle Battle Will Continue into Training Camp
By GilMartin
The Green Bay Packers finished their work on the practice field at mandatory minicamp this week and there was plenty to talk about. One position that remains up for grabs is the battle for the starting right tackle position. That battle will likely continue when the team reconvenes for training camp in late July.
Right now, the left side of the Packers offensive line appears set with David Bakhtiari at tackle and Elgton Jenkins at guard. Both players have made the Pro Bowl and if healthy, they could give the Packers one of the best left sides in the entire NFL.
Josh Myers remains the favorite at center and Jon Runyan Jr. is the incumbent at right guard.
The biggest question remains the right tackle position. Yosh Nijman and Zach Tom are the two players battling for that starting position and both have received significant reps with the first team offensive line during OTAs and mandatory minicamp.
The two players have traveled different roads to get to this point. Nijman was an undrafted free agent who joined the Packers in 2019. The Packers were intrigued with his physical tools and gave the 6’7”, 314-pound former Virginia Tech star the chance to develop.
After spending most of his first season on the practice squad and most of the 2020 campaign playing on special teams, Nijman got his chance in 2021. With Bakhtiari and Jenkins both injured, Nijman started eight games and did a respectable job.
Last season, Nijman played in all 17 games and started 13. He graded out very well as a pass blocker according to Pro Football Focus but struggled more as a run blocker. He did take another step forward over the previous season. Most of the games he started were at right tackle.
While Nijman was an undrafted free agent who paid his dues and worked hard to develop into an NFL starter, Tom was a fourth-round draft pick by GM Brian Gutekunst in 2022.
The Packers value versatility along the offensive line and Tom certainly fits that description. He started at both center and offensive tackle at Wake Forest. Many scouts felt he may be moved to guard in the NFL.
As a rookie, Tom played in nine games for the Packers and started five. He did not win a starting job out of training camp, but when injuries and inconsistency hit the offensive line early in the season, he was pressed into duty.
Tom played four positions for the Packers as a rookie, filling in whenever needed. He played left tackle, left guard, right tackle, and right guard. Ironically, Gutekunst felt his best position coming out of college was center and that was the only position along the offensive line he didn’t play this season.
Tom graded out slightly higher than Nijman last season according to PFF. Like Nijman, he graded out significantly better as a pass protector than a run blocker, but both of his numbers were slightly better than Nijman’s.
Packers offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich has already indicated that the team wants to have the best five offensive linemen on the field. Assuming everybody stays healthy, Tom may be the lynchpin that decides who starts and who sits.
Tom took reps at right tackle with the ones during minicamp and with the second- string offensive linemen at center. His versatility may mean the team will slot Tom in as a starter wherever he is needed to create that “best five” the coaching staff is looking for.
Nijman has played both left tackle and right tackle for the Packers but is best suited to the right side. If Tom ends up as the starter at right tackle, Nijman is likely the team’s swing tackle in case of injury. Or, if Bakhtiari misses time in the future, Tom could shift to the left side and Nijman could be inserted at right tackle.
Both players will continue this battle into training camp and throughout the preseason. How the offensive line shakes out will be one of the more interesting things to watch for when training camp gets under way in late July.
You can follow Gil Martin on Twitter @GilPackers
Comments (50)
Coldworld
June 15, 2023 at 12:18 pm
I’m going to question your facts, unfortunately. Nijman was graded by ESPN as one of the top Ts in terms of run win percentage in 2021 and as the best in the league in 2022.
His PFF pass grade suffered last year after he moved from RT, ending up lower having been consistently improved prior to Bakh’s return. That decline was exacerbated by playing injured (shoulder) during the Vikings game and having to be pulled after inexplicably trying to start in both of the subsequent two games.
Bill Huber has stated that Nijman started both minicamp practices at RT and that Tom was at C with the 2s for the most part. Andy Herman appears to have Tom at RT consistently and almost no time at C. That’s an odd one, because it’s hard to mistake Tom and Nijman.
I will wait to see what happens in camp, but to me, it sounds like Tom is actually spending increasing time at C at this point and less at RT. Camp will make things clear presumably.
GilMartin
June 15, 2023 at 12:28 pm
I took my info from PFF's grades. Nijman graded out very well as a pass blocker and below average as a run blocker last season. Do you have a link to the ESPN run win percentage info? Interested in seeing it. Thanks for the comment, Coldworld.
Coldworld
June 15, 2023 at 12:38 pm
Yes, PFF is pretty wacky on Nijman. According to them his run blocking cratered on the right and his pass blocking improved, the latter at odds with the dramatic increase in sacks and the comparative game ratings they gave him before the move.
The ESPN OL and DL top tend by position are here: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/34536376/2022-nfl-pass-rushing-run-s....
GilMartin
June 15, 2023 at 12:45 pm
Thanks Coldworld, I'll take a look. PFF had Tom slightly better than Nijman in both run and pass blocking. It should be an interesting battle. Thanks for sharing the link.
T7Steve
June 15, 2023 at 12:55 pm
Maybe they were counting time while he was playing hurt.
SicSemperTyrannis
June 15, 2023 at 01:12 pm
I'd be hard pressed to consider Nijman good at run blocking based in what I saw last season. Bakh and Jenkins on the left side dominated. Other than that?
dobber
June 15, 2023 at 12:54 pm
I would be curious to hear how Nijman's run pct graded out when Marcedes Lewis wasn't lined up on his shoulder.
SicSemperTyrannis
June 15, 2023 at 01:16 pm
Dobber, this is the kind of analysis that helps make stats meaningful ...
Coldworld
June 15, 2023 at 02:12 pm
Does that not apply to Tom at RT even more so? Tom had more intense help at T than Nijman did last year.
SicSemperTyrannis
June 15, 2023 at 01:15 pm
CW, I hope somebody can at least challenge Myers at C in TC. If Myers is the best we've got by an indisputable mile, I'm afraid JL10 is going to have a difficult year. And God forbid Myers goes down with an injury, we'd be hurting with no depth behind him.
Coldworld
June 15, 2023 at 02:00 pm
I’m looking at the very different statements of what is going on and one suggests Tom is essentially mostly at RT. The other suggests he’s increasingly spending time at C with the seconds and Nijman is at RT with Tenuta starting to back him up.
I will just have to wait for TC to see what develops I think. My point here was to raise the issue as pieces are starting to be written assuming facts that aren’t necessarily real. This piece was not really that, but me making a comment on PFFs very odd grading of Tom in the run game (not great elsewhere) and Nijman’s in season and then full season take.
Nijman has always been a plus in the run game. Dobber keeps raising Lewis helping, but that was his first ever couple of games on the left and then after his transition to right last year. As a matter of fact, Tom had more intensive protection from Lewis statistically (I can’t relocate right now) than Nijman playing with one shoulder/arm.
I would also point out that much of Bakh’s run success came with Jenkins next to him. Jenkins was rated one of the best run blocking Gs. Conversely, whoever had Runyon had a truly weak G in the run game beside him (and Jenkins was below par at RG by his standards too). Runyon is pretty good in the passing game, but he had never been above adequate in the run game and was at or below that last year. That does make a significant difference.
Personally, I’m not enamored of Myers in the run or pass game. His one strength appears to be when pulling left. At the least I want to see him pushed. I want our best 5 out there. Right now, if healthy, that includes Nijman and Tom for me, but camp will speak to that.
Here I was just challenging a narrative that I think is dubious as to performance last year (this piece) due to PFF being at odds with itself and, possibly, in other current pieces based on an incorrect assumption as to who is doing what and where with respect to RT and C.
You are spot on depth at C. Without Tom, behind Myers is only Hanson and Rhyan, who has never played there and has yet to make a push at G. I can’t see a rational team settling for that, even if Myers had actually been good to date.
I suppose they could sign a cut player, but if we can find one better than Tom could be, I’d be shocked or that rates better than Nijman did at T even with his in season switch that they had not practiced because they thought he would struggle for a while adjusting technique. That proved a truly daft approach, but I guess they had Newman … Enough, I’m starting to scare myself about Butkus again!
One interesting tidbit is that while Tom had been at C and Nijman at RT, Tenuta has backed up Nijman. Walker had started working behind Jones at LT (Bakh has taken very few snaps). If you believe Bill Huber at least. Interesting, but it seems Jones continues to be T 4 and Tenuta is still seen as in the mix. I wish he could play RG, he’s got some attitude even if I doubt his athleticism at T, but he’s probably several Inches too tall.
T7Steve
June 15, 2023 at 02:22 pm
Don't you think Runyan switching sides and only in his second season might have been most of the problem besides being next to Myers who was making the calls?
I think both Myers and Runyan will make a jump this season along with Nijman. Switching sides in camp is ok but They hardly ever practiced as a complete unit during last season.
Not trying to scare you about Butkus again but it was worrisome what they were doing ALL last season. That's not even mentioning what they did for adjustments during the previous playoff runs, or lack thereof.
Coldworld
June 15, 2023 at 03:00 pm
I’m sure the switch didn’t help Runyon, but he wasn’t very good in the run game before it. It’s never been his strong suit. He’s a plus pass pro G but had been at best adequate in the run game. That is going to have to improve if we are going to see more focus on runs.
greengold
June 15, 2023 at 04:33 pm
I trust PFF data, but not their grades... Check this out on Yosh's season ending grades at SI:
https://www.si.com/nfl/packers/news/grading-packers-on-salary-cap-curve-...
Coldworld
June 15, 2023 at 06:13 pm
PFFs ratings have been a little more questionable the last year or so. Chesty cites a wholesale turnover in personnel, which could well be it. I’m definitely baffled by this grading though.
greengold
June 15, 2023 at 04:43 pm
Something’s wrong with grades that fail to take injuries into account. What happened to the breakdowns we used to get on positive and negative runs every player was responsible for? I miss those.
More on Nijman:
Prior to his shoulder injury in mid December, Bukowski tweeted:
Yosh Nijman leads the NFL in Pass Block Win Rate among OTs, and is 2nd in Run Block Win Rate.
David Bakhtiari is right behind him in 3rd in PBWR.
Wendell Ferreira tweeted November 16th:
The Packers have 2 OTs in the top 3 in pass block win rate:
1st Yosh Nijman
2nd Laremy Tunsil
3rd David Bakhtiari
In 2021, Yosh took over Rodgers' blindside after Jenkins went down, playing so well Rodgers told Nijman, "I almost forgot about that side of the line."
I've always thought he as a better LT, but played both LT and RT starting over his 4 years at VT. 2 at LT, 2 at RT. He knows how to play. Gave up 1 sack in his 4 year ACC career.
greengold
June 15, 2023 at 05:33 pm
Love the down votes. More. Give me more. I’m here for you. I can take it. If it makes you feel better, great. Whatever you do, stay dark. Don’t actually say anything. Why wreck a good thing?
Enjoy your life. It’s all good.
SicSemperTyrannis
June 16, 2023 at 06:26 pm
CW, continuing re: Caleb Jones, I have a hard time picturing him at T, but that's where he's listed. I'd think he'd be better at RG, or center if he's got those skills which the coaches seem to be signalling he does not. I don't know what he's got to do to demonstrate that he's not even good for a big push forward on third and short, or how much more he can "develop" with more years not on the roster. It'd be a real loss if they can't use him and Tenuta.
Leatherhead
June 16, 2023 at 06:39 pm
I've been perusing the reports from various sources who attended the OTAs, and the picture they are painting is our Top 6, followed by Newman who has been working steadily at guard with the twos. Jones and Walker, at this point, are probably going to be our backup tackles.
I hope the only time I see either of them on the field this year after preseason is during blowout wins.
I''m really hoping we can keep our line healthy. It could be really good, with Tauscher and Jenkins on the left side and NO rookies in charge of protecting Love.
Leatherhead
June 15, 2023 at 12:43 pm
We have six legitimate starters, and if we take one injury, we're still OK. Having versatile guys who can be good starters at multiple positions is critical, and we have those guys. It's looking to me like Tom is being looked at as the backup center, which is good news if you don't want Hanson doing it.
Because he's a veteran, and because he has experience at both tackle spots, I'd probably make Nijman the swing tackle, first guy off the bench. I'd also use him as the 3rd TE in Bacon formation, but that's another story.
Left tackle is the most important consideration, we've got one of our oldest players there, and he has an injury history, and he's probably in his last season here. Nijman can get a lot of reps in practice at LT, and we can also rest Bakhtiari during the season if we need to. This would mean that Tom starts at RT. Our backup tackles at that point would be Jones and Walker, neither one of which has ever taken an NFL game snap. Virgins.
It doesn't get better inside. Jenkins, Myers, and Runyan, if they're all healthy, is a pretty good bunch. But our backups are Newman, Hanson, and bunch of virgins.
Seriously, if we could have one of those magical seasons where everybody stays healthy, we could have a real good line, which would mean a real good offense, which would mean a real good season. We can withstand ONE injury, and if it gets much beyond that, we aren't going to have a good line, or a good offense, or a good season.
GilMartin
June 15, 2023 at 12:47 pm
spot on Leatherhead about the depth. Of course, Tom and Jenkins can both play multiple positions if needed which helps the depth. Jenkins played well at tackle in 2021 before he was injured and also played center in college. More than one injury though and we have too many unproven players there. If the line stays relatively healthy, as you said, they could be very good. Let's hope they do and that one or more of the green players behind them show us something if they need to play. Thanks for the comment.
SicSemperTyrannis
June 15, 2023 at 01:28 pm
LH, this is the best season to try out some of these guys who have never played a down in the NFL. And by that I do mean the 6'9" 370# Caleb Jones. Even more specifically, I expect Bakh to strenuously object to playing on artificial turf. IIRC that's 5 games, the first one being week 2.
We really need to see if we have anybody that can fill Bakh's shoes, and this gives us a chance to do that. If we don't, re-signing him looks very different. Drafting a new LT next season expecting him to start the same year is horrible strategy. Obviously we won't have cap space for a ringer FA.
We have 18 O linemen on the current roster, more than any other position group. Hopefully several are taking major steps forward this year and we've got 10 maulers, and even a couple more for the PS.
ReaganRulz
June 16, 2023 at 06:34 am
“Bacon” formation. That’s a new one. If we have such a formation, then Big Ole Caleb should be the clear cut winner at any position on the OL :). Sorry, my attempt at humor in a sea of analytical posts!!
Leatherhead
June 16, 2023 at 06:47 pm
The U71 "Bacon" formation was used by Mike Sherman in 2003, the year that Ahman Green rolled up over 1800 yards. We had a tackle named Kevin Barry, and he wore #71, and we'd line him up as the third TE in short down. So he'd be crashing down on a guy much smaller than him, and it was effective as hell. In fact, after we pummeled the 49ers that year, one SF defensive player said "We knew what they were going to do, we just couldn't stop it".
The Packers set a franchise record for ground yardage that season, and the Bacon formation was a big part of that.
And hey, if Caleb is dressed out for the game, that'd be a pretty good way to use him.
greengold
June 16, 2023 at 07:28 pm
Fuck yeah! Caleb Jones is a destroyer in run blocking. Been talking U-71 with Caleb for months. I also think he’s capable of being a better pass blocker than most give him credit for.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
June 17, 2023 at 07:34 am
RR,
Humor is always good!
Guam
June 16, 2023 at 08:31 am
Agreed that the Packers have six quality offensive linemen LH, unfortunately it usually takes at least seven quality offensive linemen to get through a season (due to injuries). I am less concerned about the Nijman/Tom question than I am about who will be the seventh, eighth and ninth offensive linemen for the Packers.
I have given up on Hanson, so that means the Packers need to get three from Rhyan, Newman, Walker, Jones and Tenuta. And other than Newman these guys are NFL neophytes. The O-line depth is worrisome.
Leatherhead
June 16, 2023 at 06:56 pm
Guam, we're seeing the same thing. Newman has been taking reps with the 2s, and everybody else is an NFL virgin. I was really hoping we'd get a blue chip in this draft, but I guess we're going to cross our fingers and hope for the best.
I think that Tom is a better choice for a 6th man than Nijman is. That's why they're giving him reps as the #2 Center (which allows us to cut ties with Hanson). If Bakhtiari is out, we can either put Tom at LT or move Nijman over and play Tom at RT. He's versatile. If Jenkins or Myers or Runyan is out, we can just put him in and the line is still good. He's the first guy off the bench and unless we have phenomenal luck with injuries, he'll start a bunch of games for us.
stockholder
June 15, 2023 at 12:50 pm
I Don't believe this.
Probably because Hanson started at Rg.
And even if they get this worked out at Rt.
I still believe penalties; will be the difference.
Bahk's time is just about over.
So if you really Trust Steinovich.
We're still 1 step away from change.
dobber
June 15, 2023 at 12:56 pm
Another OL haiku from Stockholder.
Coldworld
June 15, 2023 at 02:17 pm
I don’t believe Hanson started at RG either. Well, since he did, perhaps I should say that I still can’t understand why he did (or Newman did at RT).
Leatherhead
June 15, 2023 at 07:21 pm
Coldworld....you play the best guys you've got. We had people hurt and that's who we started. Newman regressed, IMO, from his rookie season. Hanson just isn't real good. When they were lined up next to each other....that's a real problem.
Every season for us seems to end with guys who were backups, or practice squad guys at the beginning of the season starting the most important game of the season. That's why the guys after our top 6 are important, because one or more of them will be a starter at some point.
Slim11
June 18, 2023 at 07:23 pm
Agreed…the possibility of a starter on the o-line coming from the likes of Newman, Hanson, et al is a big concern.
If Nijman is the starting RT, Tom’s flexibility is very valuable. In this scenario, Tom is the first backup o-lineman off the bench. I seriously hope someone like Jones or Walker shows substantial improvement in TC.
TKWorldWide
June 15, 2023 at 04:14 pm
The Packers must have
Depth and versatility
To take the North Crown
Oppy
June 15, 2023 at 07:12 pm
either you kick step
like your life depends on it
or you step aside
TKWorldWide
June 15, 2023 at 10:21 pm
If your QB is
A lefty, then the right side
Becomes the blind side
You can lead a horse
To water, but you can’t force
OTA’s on him
Turophile
June 16, 2023 at 02:33 am
Fast Hands
Fast Feet
and bulk will get the other guy beat
oh, and I almost forgot, technique.
TKWorldWide
June 16, 2023 at 07:10 am
Looks like Lanny Poffo is in the house!
greengold
June 16, 2023 at 07:39 am
It’s been a great roll
Fast feet, OTAs and all
Fuckin’ funny shit
T7Steve
June 15, 2023 at 12:53 pm
Switching sides or even positions is hard for this (I guess) unathletic fellow to comprehend.
I think the switch during the season made it harder for Nijman to adjust because he'd been playing the left side mostly all through camp and the start of the season till DB got back. He needs a full camp plus last season to get completely dialed in, I think.
Tom was playing and learning everywhere and is more ready for the swing position. This might be his best spot to start this season like Jenkins in past seasons playing everywhere. Really would love him to push the competition at center too.
Add in Caleb Jones and some of the others and it's a nice problem to have. Look how many of these guys would be actually starting for the Bears.
dobber
June 15, 2023 at 01:00 pm
There's an off-hand comment above pertaining to Caleb Jones and another left out of the discussion is Rasheed Walker. I think both of those guys factor into game-day planning as reserves, and probably impact how the Packers deal with Nijman and his expiring contract.
Retaining Bakhtiari (as opposed to cutting or dealing him) on what amounts to a one-year deal buys them time to look into all those guys, but the imperative is not just figuring out who the RT is in 2023, but whether their future LT is already on the roster.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
June 15, 2023 at 04:14 pm
Very well said Dobber!
Leatherhead
June 15, 2023 at 07:09 pm
It would be fantastic if some of these guys like Jones and Walker developed enough that they could be compared to Nijman. But when we line up against the Bears in a few months, I'd lots rather have Bakhtiari lining up than any of the other guys. I do think that you could use Nijman to back him up, and take the reps with the starters, and be ready to go if/when he was needed while keeping Bakhtiari healthy.
You know we dress 9 OL.......after the first six, I'm not really partial to any of them except maybe Rhyan, because he was a premium pick and I'd hate to lose him after one season. The late Day 3 guys and UDFAs like Jones and Walker were long shots from the beginning, and still are. I'd be fine if both Newman and Hanson were either a lot better or replaced, and we won't know about that until they put the pads on.
WD
June 16, 2023 at 06:41 am
Caleb Caleb.....
ReaganRulz
June 16, 2023 at 06:41 am
Yup on Caleb and Rasheed. It’s a huge benefit to have the influence and tutelage of Bak and Jenkins and others to help these young guys who need skill development and how to slam a pitcher of beer!!
WD
June 19, 2023 at 11:28 am
Caleb should be given a chance on the line in goal line situations, Even if just to add power to the QB sneak. We were often pitiful in short yardage situations.Why not take advantage of the human road grader.
LeotisHarris
June 15, 2023 at 03:28 pm
Historically, the Packers have done pretty okay starting a right tackle with two first names, so we have that going for us.
It still frosts my biscuits that were not talking about Creed Humphrey as our starting center.
SicSemperTyrannis
June 16, 2023 at 06:46 pm
Or Corey.
PhantomII
June 15, 2023 at 08:37 pm
This is great info, but let's see how the best 5 operate coming out of camp, and the run game should improve with our NEW QB1 under center anyway, because that's where most of the snaps should originate and get our RB's with a full head of steam. I would like Tom to play any position he can beat out anyone be it C /RT or RG.
SicSemperTyrannis
June 16, 2023 at 06:56 pm
Hopefully honest competition determines the whole roster, but the O line is especially critical IMHO.