Where was Zach Tom lined up during Packers offseason programs?

Trying to find Zach Tom on the football field during Green Bay Packers OTAs and minicamp was a little like playing ‘Where’s Waldo?‘ From drill to drill, you never truly knew where he was going to be lined up.

When meeting with reporters last month, offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich mentioned that Tom would not only be competing at right tackle for playing time – the obvious opening along this Packers offensive line – but he would also see some snaps at right guard and even center.

Through OTAs and minicamp, there were five practices that were open to the media, and during those practices, Tom – not surprisingly – spent most of his time at right tackle. From day to day and sometimes even drill to drill, he and Yosh Nijman would alternate taking snaps with the first-team offense.

Tom would also spend some time with the second-team offense at right guard–primarily on the days when Nijman was taking the starting right tackle snaps. When it came to center, it looked like the extent of his reps at that position were going to come during individual drills. But in the final hour – or last two drills of minicamp – Tom took snaps at center with the second and third team offenses during the two-minute drill.

As a rookie, Tom played 489 snaps on offense, with 295 coming at left tackle, 96 at left guard, 14 at right guard, and 84 at right tackle. In total, he allowed one sack and 12 pressures, according to PFF. Tom spent his collegiate career at Wake Forest lined up at either center or tackle. For what it’s worth, GM Brian Gutekunst mentioned earlier this offseason that when evaluating Tom as part of the 2022 pre-draft process, the team felt he was best at center.

Matt LaFleur often talks about the goal being putting the best five offensive linemen on the field. If that’s the case, then I’m not sure how Tom isn’t starting come Week 1. The better question is, where?

If I were to guess right now, I would say right tackle. In a very small sample size, I thought that Tom had held up better there than Nijman, specifically in pass protection, where Tom’s athleticism and quick feet position him well. Also, in terms of Tom replacing either Josh Myers or Jon Runyan, I’m going to need to see more of him at either of those positions. Until then, I’ll give Myers, Runyan, and their experience the benefit of the doubt.

The real litmus test for the right side will come during training camp and the preseason once the pads are actually on and the offensive line play can be better evaluated.

Offensive line play is very much the sum of the parts is greater than the individual. An offense can have an elite left tackle and left guard, but if the right side of the line has holes, the collective offensive line unit is going to struggle. So when it comes to where Tom can make the biggest impact, whether that be at tackle, guard, or center, look at where there is the largest gap in performance.

"“We got a lot of competition on the right side, at guard, right tackle, or even center,” said Stenavich. “We are just going to go out there and put those guys at different spots. Getting those best five out there, that gel the best and are the most physical, that’s what I’m looking for.”"