Time to Look for Corey Linsley’s Potential Replacement in the Draft

While it may not be a popular selection, the Green Bay Packers need to strongly consider looking for Corey Linsley’s potential replacement in this draft.

This year more than most it seems extra difficult to pinpoint what needs the Green Bay Packers will choose to address early on in the draft. Despite coming up just one game shy of the Super Bowl last season, they are in need of some impact players at multiple positions.

Of course, the most popular positions that many will choose are receiver and linebacker. However, they need to find their long-term solution at right tackle, the cornerback room has some question marks, and some help on the interior of the defensive line is needed as well.

While it is easy to assume that NFL teams go into the draft looking to plug current holes – and that does happen quite often – the good teams are always planning for the future. When it comes to the Green Bay Packers, during the 2021 offseason Corey Linsley is a free agent and there is certainly no guarantee that he will be back.

So naturally, looking for his potential replacement early on this year’s draft should absolutely be on Green Bay’s to-do list.

The old saying that your best ability is availability is truly a cliche but it rings true. And when it comes to Linsley’s tenure as a Packer, his availability has been a huge value to this team. During his six NFL seasons, he has played in 100 percent of the offensive snaps three times and this includes a two-year stretch from 2017 to 2018 where he didn’t miss a single play.

Meanwhile, in terms of his play on the field, he has been very good as well. From 2014 to 2017, Linsley never gave up more than two sacks and three quarterback hits in one season according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

And although I will point out that he has given up nine total sacks the past two seasons, you can’t deny his relationship with Aaron Rodgers and Linsley has been a key piece on one of the best pass-blocking offensive lines in the NFL.

In fact, in a recent article by Rob Demovsky of ESPN, he spoke with a longtime assistant coach about Linsley and the Packers re-signing him. Here is what he had to say:

"“Good teams pay centers,” the assistant said. “And they pay them more than they’re probably worth and maybe past their [prime] years because they understand the relationship between the center and the quarterback. You can’t put a price on that relationship between him and Aaron Rodgers. And even if it’s a young QB, that’s important, too.”"

While it certainly makes sense to bring him back on a new deal, unfortunately for the Green Bay Packers, it isn’t going to be that simple. I mentioned that in 2021 Linsley will be a free agent and joining him will be David Bakhtiari, Kenny Clark, Kevin King, Aaron Jones, and Jamaal Williams.

Even if the salary cap increases as it has been over the years, I just can’t envision all six of these players being brought back. Including the other needs that the Packers will have, there just won’t be enough money to go around.

So with Bakhtiari and Clark being the top priorities and who knows what Green Bay’s plan with Jones is, Linsley might not be back. Meaning, that finding his potential replacement in this year’s draft should be on the table.

Now, some arguments against this might be letting Lucas Patrick take over and that could very well be the case. However, he comes with his limitations and he is only under contract for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. I see him more as a player who provides depth, rather than a full-time starter.

Additionally, it’s fair to ask what if Green Bay drafts a replacement and then ends up re-signing Linsley?

Well to that I say, there is no such thing as too much offensive line depth and it’s not like Billy Turner was lighting it up at right guard this past season. After the 2020 season, the Packers can get out of Turner’s contract with a relatively light dead cap hit of $4.5 million, so if they do have Linsley and a 2020 draft pick, then perhaps that new player can take over at right guard instead of center.

As we look ahead to the draft, some names to keep your eyes on include Cesar Ruiz, who is highly underrated, Nick Harris, Damien Lewis, Jonah Jackson, Robert Hunt, and Tyler Biadasz.

If the Green Bay Packers do in fact take an interior offensive lineman within the first four rounds, I’m sure many will be upset with the selection. However, the draft is more than just plugging holes for the current season. The smart teams are looking ahead as well.