A lot of people are going to be keeping an eye on the Green Bay Packers offensive line in training camp. Multiple jobs are up for grabs, as Elgton Jenkins and Zach Tom look to be the only players assured of starting spots.
Where they will start, however, is unknown. Jenkins took snaps this offseason at the center spot, while there were rumors swirling that Tom could also be moved inside to the pivot.
Last season, Tom played right tackle, bookending the offensive line with Rasheed Walker. Walker was pressed into starting duty after veteran David Bakhtiari was unable to get back on the field after Week 1 of the season.
A seventh-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Penn State, Walker played in all 17 games last season, starting 15, after making only one appearance as a rookie. There were some rough patches, but he was adequate as Jordan Love’s blindside protector.
Heading into 2024, Walker has been highlighted by Sam Monson of PFF as a breakout candidate in the trenches. In Monson’s opinion, the former Nittany Lion has already surpassed expectations.
“Walker has outstanding size (6-foot-6 and 324 pounds) and posted just two below-average PFF game grades as a pass blocker in his first season as a starter.
He will be very good next season if he can continue his progression. If he can improve his run-blocking, he could become outstanding.” Monson wrote.
Passing blocking is where Walker excelled. He recorded a pass-blocking grade of 74.7 in his first season with extended action, with a solid overall grade of 66.3.
The job will not be handed to him in training camp. He is going to have to earn it as the Green Bay Packers used their first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft on Arizona left tackle Jordan Morgan.
Morgan received some reps during the offseason program in the spring at left tackle but has been cross-trained by the coaching staff. He is going to factor into the mix along the offensive line, as he could end up being the starter at right guard, replacing Jon Runyan Jr.
The reps that Walker received last season showed that he has some real potential. With a year of playing experience under his belt and an offseason to hone his craft, big things could be on the horizon in 2024.
