The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2022 NFL Draft.
In the 2019 NFL Draft, Brian Gutekunst selected Elgton Jenkins with the 44th overall pick. The Mississippi State offensive lineman has quickly become the most versatile offensive lineman in the NFL.
A player that can play all five positions along the offensive line is invaluable. He’s a big reason why the Green Bay Packers had one of the best offensive lines in football during the 2020-2021 season.
A player that offers Jenkins-like versatility in the 2022 NFL Draft is Kenyon Green. The Texas A&M offensive lineman checks in at No. 70 in the Unpacking Future Packers countdown.
Green came to College Station as a five-star recruit. As a freshman, Green started at right guard. In 2020, Green made the switch to left guard.
This past season Green started games at left tackle, right tackle, left guard, and right guard. According to Pro Football Focus, Green played 408 snaps at left guard, 142 at right tackle, 106 at left guard, and 81 (mostly against Alabama) at left tackle. The former five-star recruit has the versatility to play all five positions along the offensive line.
“He did everything A&M asked of him, including playing center for a couple of snaps in the 2020 Orange Bowl,” Mark Passwaters, a reporter for AggiesYell.com, said. “He was the starting right tackle at the start of the season, but that group wasn’t working. He was pressed into service at left tackle against Alabama and had a great game. But when he was at guard, he was at his best. He’s a capable, solid tackle. He’s an elite guard.”
Green is a quick and powerful run blocker. He’s got a powerful lower half and is able to drive defenders in any direction he chooses. He easily moves to the second level and mauls defenders.
“Green is an elite run blocker,” Passwaters said. “He’s got a huge lower body and tremendous leg strength, so he can come off the snap and start moving people. If he gets leverage, he’s going to move you out of the way.”
In pass protection, Green has a strong base. He’s rarely knocked off balance and holds his ground against bull rushers.
The versatile offensive lineman has the foot quickness to protect the corner when he’s playing tackle. Green has strong hands. The three-year starter has a high football IQ and is not fooled by stunts and twists.
“Green is just a big guy and you’re not going to move him,” Passwaters said. “The only weakness he had was extremely fast ends could beat him off the edge. When he moved back inside, and that constricted space, nobody was getting past him. He’s too strong, too quick, and too intelligent. He has long arms, so he gets his hands on guys and dictates how the play goes from there.”
Green is battle-tested. Playing in the SEC, Green went up against some of the best pass-rushers in the country on a weekly basis. He also went up against Texas A&Ms, DeMarvin Leal, Michael Clemons and Tyree Johnson. Despite going up against elite competition, Green only allowed one sack over the last two seasons (zero this season).
“His power is arguably his greatest strength,” Passwaters said. “He went up against some of the elite defensive linemen in the nation and physically manhandled them.”
Fit with the Packers
Jenkins suffered a torn ACL in November and may miss the beginning of the 2022 season.
With Jenkins sidelined, there are questions on what the starting offensive line will look like for the Packers when the season kicks off in September.
It’s reasonable to project that the Packers will roll out a starting five of, David Bakhtiari (left tackle), Jon Runyan (left guard), Josh Myers (center), Royce Newman (right guard), and Billy Turner (right tackle).
However, what if the Packers opt to cut Turner? Newman enjoyed a solid rookie season, but could they look for an upgrade at right guard via the draft?
Drafting a player like Green could give the Packers a bunch of flexibility along the offensive line. The Texas A&M product would be a plug-and-play starter at right guard or right tackle.
“He has the potential to be this generation’s Brandon Scherff,” Passwaters said. “He’s that good. If you want a guard you can plug in and let him work for 10 years, Green’s your guy. He’s powerful, durable, a great player in the locker room, and a sponge when it comes to learning. He’s already very good, but he hasn’t played his best football yet.”
Green will turn 21 in March. If he happens to slide to the Packers in the first round, Gutekunst may sprint to the telephone to select the versatile offensive lineman.
Green is a plug-and-play starter and could give the Packers their long-term starter at right guard or right tackle while being able to seamlessly change positions.
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