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Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Packers take unusual approach to address OL question marks

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Wendell Ferreira | Last updated 11/24/23

Rotations are frequent for wide receivers, tight ends, defensive linemen, linebackers. But it’s not common to see NFL teams putting offensive linemen in and out of the lineup. The Green Bay Packers, though, have taken this approach over the last month.

There are two positions up for grabs on the line, left tackle and right guard. And the coaching staff has used real games to eliminate question marks.

At LT, the rotation started earlier, in week 8. Second-year player Rasheed Walker has been the starter, except for the week 9 game against the Los Angeles Rams, and Yosh Nijman is the second option. In some of these games, they played a similar number of snaps.

At RG, Jon Runyan is still the starter and plays the majority of snaps. But last year’s third-round pick Sean Rhyan has appeared in three games, and his ability as a run blocker has stood out.

LT: Rasheed Walker vs Yosh Nijman

(Snap percentage and PFF grade)

Week 8
Walker: 26% (53.0)
Nijman: 74% (55.7)

Week 9
Walker: 51% (76.9)
Nijman: 49% (74.5)

Week 10
Walker: 100% (61.0)
Nijman: 0%

Week 11
Walker: 57% (73.5)
Nijman: 43% (52.1)

Week 12
Walker: 52% (65.7)
Nijman: 48% (70.0)

For the most part, Walker and Nijman have played at a similar level. Walker was significantly better against the Los Angeles Chargers last week, and Nijman was better against the Detroit Lions on Thursday, but it’s not a big difference in general.

Considering Rasheed Walker is under contract through 2025 and Nijman is slated to be an unrestricted free agent next offseason, it makes sense to keep playing Walker as the primary option.

First, because Walker is the more likely option for the team’s long term. Furthermore, Nijman is the more experienced player. This could bode well initially, but if they are playing similarly, it shows how Walker’s ceiling is higher. The more he plays, the more opportunities he will get to be better.

RG: Jon Runyan vs Sean Rhyan

(Snap percentage and PFF grade)

Week 9Runyan: 90% (42.3)
Rhyan: 21%* — 10% at RG, 11% at LG (66.4)

Week 10
Runyan: 100% (54.9)
Rhyan: 0%

Week 11
Runyan: 92% (60.1)
Rhyan: 8% (43.4)

Week 12
Runyan: 77% (46.7)
Rhyan: 23% (64.5)

Runyan and Rhyan shared snaps in three games, even though the veteran has still played way more. But in two of these three games, Rhyan was much better by PFF grade, especially as a run blocker.

Following the same logic taken at left tackle, the future should be a huge consideration. Rhyan is under contract through 2025, and Runyan will be a free agent. An extension seems unlikely at this point for Runyan, so there’s little reason not to play Rhyan more and more.

With the win over the Lions, the Packers truly entered the playoff conversation again. And if this is the case, they will have to decide who their five best offensive linemen are, and play them as much as possible

At this point in time, the young options are looking like the better ones, and Matt LaFleur should lean on Walker and Rhyan for the next few games to see how it goes.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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