Rookie Zach Tom looks the part amongst the starters at left tackle

Without David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins, the Packers are thin at the offensive tackle position in terms of experience and have been forced to do some shuffling. 

As Matt LaFleur said last week, things along the offensive line will remain “fluid” as he searches for the current best five. And so far, we’ve seen that on display with a few different configurations.

However, despite the constant movement, a consistent presence at left tackle has been fourth-round rookie Zach Tom.

Through the first four practices, the Green Bay Packers have utilized two different starting offensive line configurations. On days one and three, from left to right, it went Yosh Nijman, John Runyan, Josh Myers, Jake Hanson, and Royce Newman. And on days two and four, it was Tom, Runyan, Myers, Newman, and Nijman.

Tom spent his final two seasons at Wake Forest at left tackle, totaling 1,474 snaps, according to PFF. During that span, he surrendered only four sacks and 23 total pressures. His pass-blocking grade in 2021 specifically was tied for the fourth best among all tackles.

But despite his experience and level of play at left tackle while in college, many draft analysts thought that Tom would be better suited as an interior player, and I'm going to guess that is in large part due to his size and length. 

At the NFL combine, Tom measured in at 6'4" and weighed 304 pounds--a bit on the lighter side. He also has arms of 33.25," while typically the benchmark for tackles is 34". 

However, what he may give up in size, Tom makes up for with this athleticism and technique. Tom posted an elite Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 9.59 out of 10. This included a 4.94-second 40-yard dash along with elite scores in the vertical and broad jumps as well as in the shuttle and 3-cone. 

“I know it’s a different game, but he’s done it in college, and he’s got the athleticism, and he’s got great technique. He really does,” coach Matt LaFleur said via Packers Wire. “For what he lacks maybe in sheer size, he can really sink his hips and anchor and does a great job with that.”

As La Fleur mentioned, the college game verse the NFL can be quite different, but as offensive line coach Luke Butkus told reporters during the offseason, one of the big reasons that the Packers drafted Tom was because of his performance against Florida State's Jermaine Johnson, who was considered one of the top edge rusher prospects in this draft class. 

There is still certainly a long ways to go this summer, and the pads are yet to come on at this point. But so far, Tom has acclimated well and is very much holding his own in practice against the starting defense behind his strong technique and impressive athleticism. Not knowing when Bakhtiari or Jenkins will be back, solidifying the offensive tackle positions -- one of the most important positions in the game -- is a must for the Packers in the coming weeks. 

One of the reasons that the offense just wasn't as effective in 2021 as they had been in 2020 is due to the injuries along the offensive line, which led to a less effective run game and more pressure on Aaron Rodgers. 

 

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__________________________

Born and raised in Green Bay, WI and I still call it home. After my family, watching the Packers, sharing my opinions on the team through my writing and interacting with other fans is my greatest passion. You can find me on Twitter at @Paul_Bretl. 
 

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4 points
 

Comments (27)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
Coldworld's picture

August 01, 2022 at 10:24 am

He came in with good technique and feet, so he’s likely to look good in shorts.

A few years ago Bakh came in like that, but with a little more functional strength and started due to injuries and never looked back. That, however, is not the norm. Jason Spriggs also looked good in shorts and was more athletic.

Bakh is very much the exception with his build and we forget that he struggled against power early. Until he added mass/Strength teams knew to attack that and did. Bakh managed to hold up initially (to our delight and surprise) and bought time to improve his power game.

So here we have Tom, who looks great in shorts. Is he more Spriggs or Bakh? It does concern me that he might lack a little more functional strength than Bakh. On film though one had to like his technique (even as a definite non expert).

The answer is that none of us know. We can’t. His question always was going to be whether he can make it work against pros in pads. The first and only partial test of that has not occurred since they don’t put pads on till Tuesday. It will get a further testing in preseason and then the true test only happens in season against starters from other teams when it matters. Newman was the highest rated G in the league last preseason. He illustrates how preseason is only a partial test.

Bakh surprised nearly everyone when he held his own as a rookie in season. Maybe Tom can too, but as yet none of us have a clue. Way too early to know if he’s a real candidate at this point in his career. All we know is that he does have the technique that he seemed to show on film.

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LLCHESTY's picture

August 02, 2022 at 03:15 am

Same thing with Love too. He can look like Dan Marino in the preseason and you still won't know if he can handle the blitz better til he plays in the regular season again.

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Matt Gonzales's picture

August 01, 2022 at 10:41 am

You never want to see players thrown in the fire before they're ready, but it sounds like GB may have found another diamond in the rough.

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TarynsEyes's picture

August 01, 2022 at 11:19 am

What has he done to even think him a possible 'diamond in the rough?

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mnbadger's picture

August 01, 2022 at 12:27 pm

take it easy on Matt, he clearly said we "MAY" have found a diamond in the rough.
Don't automatically douse a glimmer of light, let it shine until the clouds roll in. GPG!

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TarynsEyes's picture

August 01, 2022 at 11:17 am

I get the camp hope for a player, and it seems that he's becoming the proverbial 'cart before the horse', but real gameplay at the NFL level is crucial, and he may become known as 'Sack'Tom or Tom 'Thumb' of the OL getting swallowed up by things that play bigger than his quick.

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Steverhyan's picture

August 01, 2022 at 11:46 am

I agree.
when the media decides for the team it becomes bed news.

maybe the physics laws have changed; but, mass and motion equal power and for every action a reaction. Other words; maybe 320-325 guys with agility can work more effectively and efficiently, hence stay tuff for all snaps of the ball. all positions, Packers have 5 LT on list try 1 each week until magic happens. just a thought.!

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LambeauPlain's picture

August 01, 2022 at 02:30 pm

Tom is the same size as Jenks and Bakht. Have they been swallowed up? Maybe Tom won't be either.

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TarynsEyes's picture

August 01, 2022 at 03:07 pm

You imply the one size fits all blanket.

Just because multiple players are the same size, like the same size shoe or same size pants, doesn't mean they all wear or fit the same.

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LambeauPlain's picture

August 01, 2022 at 06:36 pm

I am simply disputing your implication that because of his size he may get "swallowed up."

He's is big enough for the NFL and didn't get swallowed up in college...in fact, played at a very high level.

I didn't say anything about shoe or pants sizes which is silly.

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Bure9620's picture

August 01, 2022 at 05:05 pm

Again we have no clue just let it play out. Maybe he plays tackle. Maybe not. Clearly, the Packers see something and want to challenge him.

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Bure9620's picture

August 01, 2022 at 05:05 pm

Again we have no clue just let it play out. Maybe he plays tackle. Maybe not. Clearly, the Packers see something and want to challenge him.

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Johnblood27's picture

August 01, 2022 at 12:46 pm

I like Tom as much as any Packer fan, but I am a loooooong way from writing off Sean Rhyan.

At 6-5, 321 Rhyan has the measurables, including his underwear olympics testing. Let's not forget who was drafted before who either. Those things happen for a reason, so let's not start creating pecking orders before the true tests happen.

Rhyan also has that "junkyard dog" attitude that goes a long way in creating successful outcomes on the football field once the pads come on.

So...

I like a feel-good story as much as the next guy, however I am looking towards Rhyan as impacting the GBP OL more than Tom this season.

Let the padded practices begin!!!

8 points
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LambeauPlain's picture

August 01, 2022 at 02:13 pm

I am not writing off Rhyan. And Tom could be another 4th round jewel like Doubs. Both have great football credentials.

Tom is the first of the OL newbies getting significant snaps in camp. So it seems the coaches have him ahead of Rhyan for now.

Tom is big enough for T. And has that versatility to move inside. He is about the same size as both Bakhtiari and Jenks.

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PatrickGB's picture

August 01, 2022 at 04:24 pm

We have a lot of players projected as guards. Not as many are projected as tackles. So the TC lineups are going to be a sorting out process with the players. And spots at tackle are going to change when Bakh and Jenkins get back. I rewatched a couple of games that Yosh played in and…well, let’s just say he is no Bahk. So having tackle options is good.

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LLCHESTY's picture

August 02, 2022 at 03:17 am

And Rhyan has that big hair do. My bald ass is jealous!

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BradHTX's picture

August 02, 2022 at 07:05 am

If your bald ass had Rhyan’s hair do, you’d have trouble fitting into your pants.

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LLCHESTY's picture

August 02, 2022 at 04:10 pm

He looks like he should be riding a horse across the steppes with the Mongol horde. A big horse.

Or be a short lived drummer for Spinal Tap. One or the other.

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Guam's picture

August 01, 2022 at 12:48 pm

Just like the earlier article on WR Doubs - way too early to tell. Let Toms get some reps in pads and then in games and we will see what we have. I prefer the Packer way of drafting guys and letting them develop for a year or two before asking them to play significant minutes. Tom may be a real find, but I would rather the Packers not have to use him at left tackle THIS year.

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LambeauPlain's picture

August 01, 2022 at 02:24 pm

Early camp is the first ranking of overall depth. That ranking will change a lot. It is what coaches have to do...find the best players.

That Tom is getting and keeping practice snaps with the 1s tells me the coaches are high on him so far.

It is quite remarkable how well Gutey has stocked, and O coaches have coached up the OL. Lots of focus on this group.

1 points
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Coldworld's picture

August 01, 2022 at 03:41 pm

Tom is getting snaps with the firsts not only on merit but because someone has to if Nijman is in the other side. That is part of this.

If neither Bakh nor Jenkins can go, then potentially CVL, Walker, Newman, Jones could possibly fill in as a temporary measure at RT in addition to Rhyan. At LT Tom is perhaps the only cover for Nijman, unless you want to move Runyon. That probably weakens the line still further and would require another G, likely Rhyan with perhaps Hanson as the swing guy.

So getting Tom up to speed as soon as possible makes a very great deal of sense as a priority. As does getting Rhyan up to speed at G. Look at the LT options on the 2s and 3s. It’s Tom. This seems to get forgotten in these chats. What it means long term is at best a secondary issue and perhaps a misleading insight at that.

If Tom doesn’t hold up when contact starts then we may have to get a vet unless Walker impresses. He’s about the only credible short term alternative on the left and just healthy. All being well, we should be deep by mid season.

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LambeauPlain's picture

August 01, 2022 at 06:45 pm

It will be fun to see how both 4th rounders hold up. They will make rookie mistakes, but listening to both players... very articulate and serious about this opportunity.

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NoNonsense's picture

August 01, 2022 at 07:52 pm

While I certainly expect Tom to hit some bumps in the road on this journey, the elite movement skills he has, along with great technique will help him overcome any deficiency in his physical makeup. Only real obstacle I see from him right now is his functional strength. In that aspect he will have no greater challenge than going up against starters Gary and Smith at edge or Clark and Lowry at DE or 5T on a regular basis. If he can hold up against that kinda firepower then he will answer a lot questions before he even steps on the field for a game.

Same with Doubs man, he's doing it against some elite players in the secondary. It shows the moment is not too big for him and he's making his presence felt out there. I'm sure there will be bumps in the road for him as well but I feel pretty confident in saying that Gute nailed his 2 4th round choices this year.

Will it translate to immediate playtime or instant impact once the games start? Well that's kinda out of their control. If Bahk is healthy and ready to go game 1 then Tom may not get the chance to play right away or at all his first season.

At WR Romeo probably starts out no better than #4 on the depth chart behind Lizard, Cobby and Watkins if 12 has a say. If he keeps the pace he's at now, it will be hard to keep him off the field. We shall see.

2 points
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relleum61's picture

August 02, 2022 at 05:48 pm

Concur...Pads will tell. If Toms can handle or at least stalemate Gary, Smith, Lowry and Clark and display the same ability against Wyatt and Reed, then throw him out there against the rest of the NFL. The Pack has enough depth on the defensive front line for the coaches to make that evaluation.

DBak did struggle against power early on, but he was never over whelmed. Rodgers was mobile enough to help him out. Rodgers is still mobile enough to help Toms should Toms struggle against power.

Pre-season games and joint practices will be the next test. Toms needs to dominate in the pass game and show he is adequate in the run game if the Pack wants to throw him out there at either tackle position in Week 1.

0 points
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PhantomII's picture

August 01, 2022 at 08:22 pm

Tom can start either (T) spot.... like Jenkins. Mark it.

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NoNonsense's picture

August 02, 2022 at 12:22 am

Shoot your shot, I can dig it.

You know who I wanna see matched up in one on one's periodically for the rest of camp is Devonte Wyatt vs Zach Tom, inside at C and outside at T. Very similar in size, these two are such elite athletes for their positions that it would make a very entertaining battle. They are both technicians as well so thats a match up I'd love to see. Iron sharpens iron, forged in fire.

1 points
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KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

August 03, 2022 at 09:33 am

Yea, I read all the comments but will say Nononsense & Relleum61 are spot on!

People have a short memory! Scott Wells was an excellent player playing in the trenches against the 'big boys' at Center and was 6'2" and 300 lbs. Zach Tom at Tackle is 6"4" and weighs 304 lbs with an off the chart RAS score. This tells me several things including that Zach is a better athlete than Scott who has better feet, but also being 6'4" he has the ability to add more strength/weight than Wells did. Tom will not be playing against the 'big boys' in the NFL if he stays at Tackle. He will be playing against elite athletes with speed/power at Edge weighing around 70 to 80 lbs less than what Wells took on every play. Allowing Tom to practice daily against the likes of Preston, Gary, Clark, and Wyatt is going to prepare him quickly for the NFL.

Yes, it is early but I'm liking Tom with his RAS score and his college experience as it certainly sounds like the Packers found a gem in the fourth round. When you have an athlete with athleticism and speed they can put on extra muscle/weight and still perform.

JohnBlood....I too am very intrigued by Sean Rhyan. I think he is going to be a good player for many years. The Packers just may have added two quality starting OL that will be around for many years. Let's keep our fingers crossed this turns out to be true as the Pack have been adding a significant number of good young talented players the last few years building towards something special.

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