Packers’ offensive line plan carries clear risk as new starting tackle becomes key piece after expected free agent decision
A first-round draft pick back in 2024, Jordan Morgan will move to his natural position and play his first full season as a starting left tackle in Green Bay.
When the Green Bay Packers decided to take Jordan Morgan in the first round of the draft two years ago, it was just a matter of time before the team would eventually move on from Rasheed Walker. It could have happened last season, but a series of injuries forced them to use Morgan at guard to start the season. Now, Walker left after signing with the Carolina Panthers in free agency, and the time has finally arrived. But the plan carries risk, and there’s no way around it.
Jordan Morgan’s performances so far
Morgan played the majority of his regular season snaps in the NFL at guard, on both sides of the line — 478 at right guard, 256 at left guard. But he also had 148 snaps at right tackle and 51 at left tackle, and those are certainly his best stretches in the league.
Combining all of his snaps last season, he was just fourth among Packers’ offensive linemen in pass-block efficiency among qualified players, behind center Elgton Jenkins, right tackle Zach Tom, and center/guard Sean Rhyan. He was also behind them all, plus Darian Kinnard, in PFF run block grade.
Entering his third NFL season, Morgan has to be more consistent. The Packers trust him, and hope that establishing him at one position will benefit his development.
Plan B
But there’s also risk involved when a player will do something he hasn’t done — in Morgan’s case, be the primary left tackle for a full season.
If it doesn’t work out, there aren’t many options left. Presumably, Darian Kinnard would be the first option to enter the lineup. The Packers traded a 2027 sixth-round pick to acquire him last year and re-signed him this offseason. However, Kinnard has mostly played at right tackle, which would create another conundrum. Potentially, Zach Tom would move to the left side.
Another option would be moving Anthony Belton to left tackle, and he did play six LT snaps as a rookie, but guard proved to be his best spot — and the Packers don’t have great options to replace him at right guard at this point either.
The Packers will have to address offensive line depth in the draft — and that isn’t any type of news considering Brian Gutekunst’s track record of investing resources to acquire big guys. Realistically, Jordan Morgan will get at least one full season to prove his worth — and a year from now, the Packers would ideally have more depth, better alternatives, and more information to decide the future at the position.
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