No team in the NFL has been better at finding quality starting offensive linemen on Day 3 of the draft than the Green Bay Packers over the last fifteen years. All-Pro and potential Hall of Famer David Bakhtiari is the most prolific name on the list, but from Josh Sitton to Royce Newman, the Packers’ front office has thrived with late-round linemen for years.
Former Wake Forest lineman Zach Tom might be the next great fourth-round wonder. After only two preseason tilts, Tom is playing like a starter and deserves more time with the ones to finish the off-season.
Tom played center and left tackle at Wake Forest, giving him that coveted position versatility the Packers love in their linemen. With the team’s two best tackles coming off ACL injuries and neither guard spot completely locked in, Green Bay has had an open competition along the line. In their alignment experiments, the Packers recently moved Tom around to find his best spot, including testing him in Jon Runyan‘s left guard spot. Right now, Tom’s best spot is at tackle.
The left side of the line has been mostly static this summer: Yosh Nijman at left tackle and Jon Runyan at left guard. They’ve locked Josh Myers in at center. The two most popular alignments on the right side of the line have been Jake Hanson at RG and Newman at RT and Newman at RG and Tom at RG. Two preseason games in, the latter has been the most efficient group despite being the second option.
Tom has yet to allow a single pressure in 36 pass-blocking snaps. He was PFF’s highest-graded offensive player with an impressive 84.5 grade against the New Orleans Saints. Tom and Newman played well together, opening up lanes in the run game. Tom’s biggest knock as a prospect was a perceived lack of strength to be a good run-blocker. While he’ll still need to bulk up more, he’s been an effective run blocker with an 82 PFF grade.
It’s been clear that Newman’s best position is at guard rather than tackle this summer. Newman has also been a better guard than Hanson, whose best spot is likely center. The Packers are devoted to getting Hanson more experience with the ones, and they see him as the next Lucas Patrick — the main interior backup lineman. Hanson is carving out a niche on the roster, but in terms of having their best five on the field, Tom should be getting that fifth spot with the ones over Hanson.
The good news is both Elgton Jenkins and David Bakhtiari recently returned to practice after being removed from the PUP list. While there is no guarantee they’ll start in Week 1, they’re trending in the right direction, and the team could soon have their best five available.
Once those two return, there likely is just one spot on the line, which will come down to where Jenkins ultimately plays and what position that fifth starter slots into.
On paper, you probably went Jenkins at right tackle. He proved himself an elite starter at tackle last season while filling in for Bakhtiari, and his agent will seek top-tier tackle money as he enters a contract year. For reference, Jacksonville’s Brandon Schreff makes $16.5 million per year as the highest-paid guard in the league. The highest-paid tackle is San Francisco’s Trent Williams ($23.01 million).
However, Tom might already be the team’s fifth-best offensive lineman as a rookie, and tackle is his prime spot. Bakh-Runyan-Myers-Jenkins-Tom might be the best alignment because Jenkins is already an elite guard. It’s unlikely the Packers will go this route, as right guard seems Newman’s spot to lose, and the team is dedicated to developing him as a starter.
But even if the Packers don’t envision Tom as a starter right now, it’s still vital he gets those first-team reps. Neither starter tackle is a lock to be ready for Week 1. Nijman and Tom are the best bets to man the left and right sides, respectively. Tom also projects as the primary swing tackle and needs those first-team reps to prepare. Both starters are coming off injuries, and offensive linemen is a physical position where injuries are common.
The third preseason game may feature some offensive starters, and the Kansas City Chiefs will likely play some starters as well. It’s an ideal dress rehearsal for the impressive fourth-rounder to see some real actions and put his development to the test. Tom has excelled against backups. This is the time to see how he fares against starters.
Regardless of Tom’s role in the preseason finale, it seems like he has a bright future in Green Bay. Tom might just be the next great fourth-round offensive lineman find. Between him and Romeo Doubs, the fourth-round rookies might be this class’s most interesting group.
