Grading Packers’ offensive linemen through four games of 2020 season
The Green Bay Packers have had some great and not so great performances from their offensive linemen through the seasons’ first four games.
The Green Bay Packers‘ offensive line started the season on fire, but have quietly come down to earth since their Week 1 performance. They’ve still been good, but there are things they need to shore up following the bye.
With the bye week coming after the fourth game of the season, now’s a great time to hit the pause button and reflect on each player at each position. We started with quarterback yesterday, peeked at the running back room this morning and are continuing with the offensive line in this article.
David Bakhtiari, left tackle: Entering a contract year and making it clear he wants to be paid as the best left tackle in the game, Bakhtiari has lived up to the hype a quarter of the way into the season. He’s PFF’s fourth-highest graded tackle and has been his usual dominant self. According to PFF, he’s played 271 snaps, has one penalty and allowed zero sacks, zero hits and only five pressures. He’s also great in the running game where the Packers have had tons of success running toward his side.
Grade: A
Elgton Jenkins, left guard: Building off his impressive rookie campaign, Jenkins has had a steady start in the first four games of 2020. He began the season playing right tackle due to injuries around him, but has since moved back to left guard. Similar to Bakhtiari, he’s yet to allow a sack and has only one penalty on 276 snaps. He’s also allowed only three pressures. He hasn’t been as good in the run-blocking department, but we’ll see if he can improve that moving forward.
Grade: B+
Corey Linsley, center: Linsley is playing like the best center in all of football and has earned PFF’s highest positional grade as a result. In 268 snaps, he’s been called for zero penalties, has allowed zero pressures, zero hits and zero sacks. That’s damn impressive. He’s also been good in the running game, opening up holes for the backs. You couldn’t have asked for a better start from the Packers’ center.
Grade: A+
Lucas Patrick, right guard: Patrick certainly wasn’t expecting to become a full-time starter one week into the season, but he was thrust into this role when Lane Taylor suffered a season-ending injury in the opening game. Patrick has more than held his own, allowing just five total pressures, zero hits and zero sacks. His strength is definitely in pass-blocking. He’s got to tighten up his run-blocking efforts if he wants to take the next step, but he’s been a serviceable player through four weeks.
Grade: B
Billy Turner, right tackle: Turner has moved all over the line throughout his career and has found himself as the Packers’ right tackle of late. However, that might not last much longer if he continues his subpar play. He’s rated 67 out of 74 eligible tackles this season according to PFF, and has struggled in both the running and passing games. This next guy is hot on his heels for a starting job.
Grade: D+
Rick Wagner, tackle: Wagner has been the odd man out since Turner returned, playing “only” 174 snaps this season. However, he’s been very good during his time and is knocking on the door to become a full-time starter. He’s held his own in the passing game and has been one of their better run blockers. LaFleur even found a way to use him on Monday night against the Falcons in place of Marcedes Lewis.
Grade: B
Next. Packers' positional grades at quarter mark. dark
There’s nobody else on the Packers’ roster who has received relevant playing this season. Jon Runyan (23 snaps) played well in his limited action and could be a serviceable guard in the future. Taylor (63 snaps) continued the momentum he built from training camp into the season-opener, but is lost for the year. And Yosh Nijman (5 snaps) is the only other offensive lineman to receive playing time.