Packers: A Look at Jon Dietzen & What he Adds to Offense

This is a very congested offensive line room for the Green Bay Packers. With four of their five starters returning from a season ago and the team having spent six draft picks on the position over the last two years, there isn’t exactly a lot of playing time or roster spots up for grabs. This is going to make cracking the 53-man roster quite difficult for any of the 2021 UDFAs or practice squad players from a season ago.

With that said, while it’ll absolutely be tough sledding, given UDFA Jon Dietzen’s experience against high-level competition at Wisconsin and his versatility, he has a puncher’s chance and will certainly compete for a spot on the practice squad.

Dietzen, who grew up in nearby Seymour, spent his first two seasons on the field with the Badgers as their left guard. During those 2016 and 2017 seasons that included a combined 436 pass-blocking snaps, Dietzen would allow only two sacks — including zero in 2017 — and just 16 total pressures.

In 2018, Dietzen would transition to left tackle, where he split time with Green Bay Packers sixth-round pick Cole Van Lanen as he fought through injuries. In a very small sample size of only 116 pass-blocking snaps, Dietzen would allow five pressures and no sacks, but his grades from PFF at left tackle were considered to be below average—so take that as you will.

By 2019 the hip and ankle injuries that Dietzen had been dealing with became too much, and he would step away from the game. However, it wasn’t long before Dietzen was ready to get back on the field as he told WLUK prior to his Pro-Day:

"“Just the time away from football itself kind of made me realize how much I appreciated the game and how much it gave me,” said Dietzen. “The more time I spent away thinking, the more I was like, okay I have that one year left. What could’ve happened in that one year? A lot of things could’ve changed. That’s the year that a lot of things happen for a lot of guys.”"

Dietzen would suit up for the Badgers during the shortened 2020 season and returned to left guard, where he had spent his first two seasons. Over his 215 pass-blocking snaps, Dietzen once again would not give up a sack and allowed just three total pressures.

When it was all said and done, over his three seasons from 2017 to 2020, Dietzen didn’t allow a single sack during that span. On top of that, he would also rank 31st out of 199 eligible guards in 2020 in PFF’s pass blocking efficiency metric—which measures pressures allowed on per snap basis and is weighted more heavily towards sacks.

Dietzen has been steady in the run game over his career, but it’s worth noting that, according to PFF, just 37 percent of his career run-blocking snaps have come as a zone blocker—this could be a big adjustment for Dietzen in Matt LaFleur’s wide zone running scheme.

Measuring in at 6’6” and weighing 319 pounds, Dietzen has good size and performed extremely well in the shuttle and 3-cone drills as well as on the broad jump at his Pro-Day. He did not run the 40-yard dash, and adding strength will be crucial to his success at the next level. But his overall RAS of 8.92 out of 10 was quite good.

Now for more on Dietzen and what he can add to this Green Bay Packers team, here is a closer look at his game:

Lance Zierlein – NFL.com

"“Classic Wisconsin guard with broad frame, solid fundamentals and good overall toughness. Dietzen understands angles and does a nice job of getting to his landmarks to help open holes. He plays with good strength at the point of attack, but his success rate drops when he’s asked to play too far outside his phone booth. He’s not athletic enough for wide zone or to consistently get to cut-off blocks on the second level. His footwork and overall balance are too erratic in pass protection to trust that he can match with NFL rushers. Previous injuries mean medical concerns could make his journey even more difficult.“"

Owen Riese – Bucky’s 5th Quarter

"“Strengths: Dietzen has starts at three different spots along the offensive line, and a bevy of experience seeing plenty of NFL talent, from Chase Young to Maurice Hurst. He’s a plus run blocker and is very strong in his upper body. Has seen about every blitz and stunt possible during his time in Madison. Has a strong punch in pass protection.Weaknesses: He’s been dinged up a lot. Being 6-foot-5 and 320 pounds takes a toll on your body, and Dietzen’s has been screaming uncle for years. He’s a modest athlete, but struggles against speed, which is plentiful in the NFL. Will give up his chest in pass pro, which needs to get cleaned up.“"