Packers ‘Breakout’ Player’s Fascinating Future

Pro Football Focus projects Zach Tom will be the Packers’ “breakout” player in 2023. But at what position? Here’s a look at the possibilities.

Author:
Bill Huber
Publish date:
May 20, 2023 9:27 AM EDT

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Green Bay Packers

GREEN BAY, Wis. – Zach Tom will be the Green Bay Packers’ “breakout” player in 2023, according to Pro Football Focus. That’s perhaps true, but at what position?

PFF said Tom is “projected” to be the starting right tackle. That’s not exactly true.

“We’ve got a lot of competition on the right side, whether it’s right guard, right tackle or even center,” offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich said this week. “So, we’re just going to go out there and put these guys in different spots.

“I know right now, Zach’s going to compete a lot at right guard and right tackle and possibly some at center, just kind of see how that goes. Getting those best five out there that gel the best and are the most physical, that’s what I’m looking for.”

Is Tom a better option than Nijman at right tackle?

Yosh Nijman was excellent in place of David Bakhtiari at left tackle last season. When Bakhtiari was healthy and ready for full-time duty, Nijman moved to right tackle – a position he didn’t work during the offseason practices, training camp or preseason.

The change of footwork was a challenge. Because of a late-season shoulder injury, he wound up getting benched in favor of Tom in-game each of the last two weeks.

While Nijman will get some left-side work when organized team activities begin on Monday, he’ll get to build upon his 11 starts at right tackle.

“Is he going to get more reps at the right side this spring? Absolutely,” offensive line coach Luke Butkus said. “I’m excited for him because he’ll get better.”

Is Tom a better option than Runyan at right guard?

Jon Runyan has delivered about 2,100 quality snaps the last two years. A left tackle in college, he started at left guard in 2021 and opened the 2022 season at left guard, as well, before moving to right guard when Elgton Jenkins returned to his Pro Bowl home at left guard.

No different than Nijman, Runyan should be better with a full offseason to master the footwork at right guard.

Is Tom a better option than Myers at center?

That’s one of the big questions entering the offseason. A second-round pick in 2021, Josh Myers was the first center off the board, taken one spot ahead of the Kansas City Chiefs’ Creed Humphrey. Through two seasons, that looks like a colossal mistake by general manager Brian Gutekunst. Humphrey was a second-team All-Pro last season while Myers will have to fight for his job this summer.

Butkus did his best to protect Myers, noting he started only seven games as a rookie due to a knee injury. “Last year was almost like he was a rookie,” Butkus said. Not really, though. Myers had two offseasons, two training camps, two preseasons and 349 regular-season and playoff snaps under his belt before hitting the field for Week 1.

“Josh Myers is a hell of a kid, hell of a player, and we expect him to be here for a long time,” Butkus said.

So, where does that leave Tom?

He played 295 snaps at left tackle, 96 snaps at left guard, 84 snaps at right tackle and 14 snaps at right guard. Wherever he played, he played well, regardless of whether he got the week to prepare or was thrown into the fire. According to PFF, Tom allowed one sack (at left guard vs. Buffalo) and should be better in the run game with an offseason of strength training.

“That’s a great question,” Butkus said this week when asked about Tom’s best position. “Zach, he is versatile. We all saw that last year. He’s going to have an opportunity to play a couple different spots this year, and we’re excited for it. How do we find out? By repetition. Football’s a game of repetition. He’ll take a lot of reps at tackle, he’ll take a lot of reps at guard and maybe at center, as well.”