Green Bay Packers: LaFleur doesn’t mention Ben Braden in Guard Competition
By Paul Bretl
The positional battle for the two guard openings on the Green Bay Packers offensive line has been one of the more intriguing competitions this summer.
For much of training camp, it was Lucas Patrick, Jon Runyan, and Ben Braden fighting for those two openings. However, after the first preseason game against Houston, offensive line coach Adam Stenavich mentioned that “nobody has really stepped up and risen above the rest,” and Nathaniel Hackett called the overall offensive line play “very bad.”
As a result, we saw rookie Royce Newman added to the mix during practice and he would then make the start at right guard the following week against New York where he performed quite well—not allowing a single pressure and holding the second-highest run-blocking grade on this Packers team, according to PFF ($$).
While Newman very well could be the front-runner for the right guard spot, we don’t know if that is in fact the case or who the left guard will be for that matter. As Matt LaFleur told reporters following Saturday’s game when referring to the guard battle, “we’re going to let that sucker play out.”
But apparently one thing that has changed over the last week is which players are actively competing for those two openings. Before Thursday’s practice, LaFleur told members of the media that Runyan, Patrick, and Newman were the “most likely candidates” for the two guard positions.
As I’m sure noticed, Ben Braden was left off that list this time around.
What has exactly changed over the last week, I’m not too sure, other than that Braden hasn’t performed as well at guard as the other candidates have.
So does this mean that Braden will now be without a roster spot? Maybe. Or perhaps the Green Bay Packers like what he can offer as a backup tackle.
Against the Jets he took all 62 of his snaps at right tackle where he was solid, allowing two pressures — with no sacks — over 30 pass-blocking snaps. He also had a key block that sealed the edge on Kylin Hill’s touchdown run.
It was during mini-camp and OTAs that Stenavich would say that he thinks Braden can compete at not only the guard position, but tackle as well.
Other backup tackle options include Dennis Kelly, who has been out injured for the past week and the timetable for his return is unknown. Yosh Nijman, who has been the team’s primary left tackle during the preseason and played much better in Week 2. As well as rookie Cole Van Lanen, who has taken snaps at both guard and tackle.
This will certainly be something to take note of Saturday when the Green Bay Packers take on the Buffalo Bills in their final preseason game. Keep your eyes on where Braden is lined up and the number of snaps that each player is seeing because that could be telling when it comes to what this offensive line room could look like come Week 1.