Packers: 5 Big Questions for the Offense Entering Training Camp
By Paul Bretl
What does the OL end up looking like?
Depending on whether or not David Bakhtiari is ready to go Week 1, there will be one or possibly two openings along the offensive line.
If Bak can’t go, then Jenkins is likely the left tackle, Billy Turner the right tackle, and Josh Myers the center with Lucas Patrick, Ben Braden, Jon Runyan, Simon Stepaniak, Royce Newman, and Cole Van Lanen battling for both guard spots. If Bakhtiari can go, then it’s likely that just one of those guard spots will be up for grabs.
Patrick was low-key very good last season, ranking very well in PFF’s pass-blocking efficiency metric ($$) among guards as well as by ESPN’s win rate metric. Runyan flashed quite a bit of potential during his limited playing time, while Newman has spent most of OTAs and mini-camp taking snaps with the 1s. Meanwhile, OL coach Adam Stenavich believes that Braden will be competing for starting snaps this summer.
When it comes to training camp battles, the competition for starting reps along the offensive line is going to be the most competitive, and in my opinion, the most fun to watch.