Adam Stenavich with high praise for Packers OL Jake Hanson

The Green Bay Packers offense has taken their share of lumps in training camp this summer, but one player who has had one of the better performances, according to offensive line coach Adam Stenavich, is offensive lineman Jake Hanson.

Hanson was a former sixth-round pick by Green Bay in 2020 and spent that season on the practice squad. Last year, Hanson was fully healthy, and was perhaps the biggest surprise to make the 53-man roster out of training camp but saw very minimal playing time.

This summer, he has consistently been one of the Packers’ five starting offensive linemen, taking snaps with the first team offense at right guard after primarily playing center prior to this year.

"Hanson has had “one of the best camps of anyone on our offense,” said Stenavich via Ryan Wood. “He has an ability to play any inside position. Hopefully, he does a good job over the next preseason games and proves it."

Hanson can fill that Lucas Patrick-type role for the Packers this season with his ability to play center or either guard positions.

Against the San Francisco 49ers, Hanson allowed no pressures in 34 pass-blocking snaps, according to PFF ($$), although, as I wrote recently, he and the rest of the offensive line was aided by the quick passing game as Jordan Love got the ball out of his hands very quickly, with an average of 2.45 seconds.

However, in the run game, Tyler Goodson, the Packers starting running back against the Niners, only ran Hanson’s direction once — which may or may not be telling — and it was for two yards. Overall, Goodson averaged just 3.1 yards per rush that game.

Hanson, along with Newman, also struggled in the run game against the New Orleans defensive front during the second joint practice, with both regularly losing their ground at the line of scrimmage.

While Hanson has primarily played right guard this summer, he has looked at his best when taking snaps at center, which is what he played at Oregon.

If Elgton Jenkins is ready to play Week 1, then based on what we’ve seen so far, Hanson is likely the odd man out. When Zach Tom has taken snaps at right tackle with the starters, we have routinely seen Newman moving to right guard and Hanson out of the lineup.

Hanson has done a good job of developing and taking a step forward each season. However, as a whole, the offensive line unit has struggled against the Packers’ defensive front in practice, and it’s been Josh Myers and Jon Runyan who have consistently looked the part, taking their own steps forward.

With that said, this may be one of those frequent occasions where the glimpses we get from the outside looking in don’t quite tell the whole story. I mean, the same thing did happen last summer as most expected Hanson to be cut.

Hanson may be a lock to make this roster given his versatility along the interior, and he could end up being the Week 1 starter depending on whether Jenkins is available.

But even so, as Stenavich said, these upcoming preseason games are very important for him as the Packers will want to continue to see progression—specifically as a run blocker.