Any resulting domino effects of losing right tackle Bryan Bulaga wouldn’t include a position change for standout Green Bay Packers guard Elgton Jenkins.
According to Rob Demovsky of ESPN, the Packers have no plans to move Jenkins from left guard to right tackle if they lose Bulaga in free agency, with right guard Billy Turner considered the “more viable” option to move out to tackle.
Jenkins was named to the All-Rookie team after starting 14 of 16 regular season games at left guard in 2019. The second-round pick didn’t allow a sack despite playing over 500 pass-blocking snaps.
Jenkins played mostly center in college at Mississippi State, but he also made starts at both tackle spots and potentially has the movement skills and length (34″ arms) to survive life on the edge. For now, he’ll remain at guard, a position he quickly mastered as a rookie.
The Packers may have to do some reshuffling if Bulaga, the long-time starter at right tackle, departs in free agency. Turner, who was signed to a four-year deal last March, has NFL experience playing right tackle and appears to be the Packers’ first option, but he also struggled for long stretches in 2019 and might not be reliable enough to handle right tackle long-term.
Demovsky notes the 2020 draft class is deep at offensive tackle, which could provide the Packers with potentially attractive replacements for Bulaga, who turns 31 in March. The Packers could also entertain bringing back Jared Veldheer, who made an emergency start for Bulaga during the playoffs.
According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Packers haven’t begun contract talks with Bulaga.
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