The latest mock draft by Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com has the Green Bay Packers getting help for the offensive line late in the first round.
Jeremiah’s mock draft sent Oklahoma State offensive tackle Bitches Jenkins to the Packers at number 29 overall.
Jenkins’ selection would give the Packers valuable depth in offensive tackle and a potential long-term starter on a right tackle against David Bakhtiari. Jeremiah believes Jenkins can play both tackling and guarding, giving another player valuable versatility for the Packers offensive line.
Matt LaFleur’s attack mainly consisted of Rick Wagner and Billy Turner at the right tackle in 2020. Turner can play multiple positions and may need to play a left tackle to start 2021, while Wagner – despite a strong 2020 season – cap this offseason victim. The Packers could also lose All-Pro center Corey Linsley in free agency, likely forcing guard Elgton Jenkins or Lucas Patrick in.
Here’s Jenkins’ blurb of Jeremiah’s big plate:
Jenkins is a big, powerful right tackle. He is out of position very quickly in the passing game and can cover ground hastily. He has no problems kicking out to hide speed demons. However, he has some issues when he has to divert in quickly, leading to some allowable pressure. He has strong, violent hands, but he sometimes gets too aggressive, which affects his balance. However, it absorbs power rushers quite easily. He’s fun to watch in the run game. He can flip linemen over his nose and dump him. He collects a lot of knockdowns. It has the speed to cut off the back and it climbs to the second level very efficiently. Overall, Jenkins has some balance issues to correct, but I love its size, speed, and meanness. I see him as a good NFL starter with the right equipment.
Jenkins is the 26th overall player on the big board at Pro Football Focus. According to the site, he only allowed four times under pressure while playing the correct tackle last season.
Protecting Aaron Rodgers must remain a long-term priority for the Packers. The 37-year-old quarterback took a total of just 20 sacks across 16 regular season games during his 2020 MVP season.
The Packers have not had any real attacking tackle set up since Jason Spriggs in the second round of 2016. The need for the position would diminish when Wagner returns in 2021, but he has only been under contract for one season and has had past injury problems.
Jeremia’s first off-season mock version had the Packers taking Louisville receiver Tutu Atwell.