Green Bay Packers: Ranking Options at Center from Least Likely to Start to Most
By Paul Bretl
Could Start at Center Any Time for the Green Bay Packers but won’t be Week 1: Elgton Jenkins
Basically, pick a position along the offensive line, and Elgton Jenkins will step in and play at a high level. Jenkins took 297 snaps at the center position last season filling in for Linsley when he was on IR. During those five games, he didn’t allow a sack and was credited with only four pressures.
However, because of his ability to move around the offensive line, at least as the group is currently configured, I expect him to begin the season as one of the tackles. With David Bakhtiari sidelined, that leaves Green Bay with Jenkins, Billy Turner — who will be the other tackle — and Yosh Nijman as the only other players to take an NFL snap at the position. And while I certainly could be wrong, I just don’t expect Nijman to be ready to start.
Now, if the Green Bay Packers land a starting tackle in the draft, that would allow Jenkins to stay inside. But even if that’s the case, my prediction is that he stays at guard while — spoiler alert! — Lucas Patrick is the center. This thought process is more about Patrick’s ability than Jenkins’. I believe Jenkins would be a fine center, but Patrick is a better center than he is a guard. Therefore, he gets the nod.