Most Green Bay Packers fans were excited about Graham Barton, an offensive lineman from Duke, ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft. However, Green Bay selected Jacob Monk, another offensive lineman from Duke, with the 163rd overall pick.
Monk is the typical versatile offensive lineman that Green Bay has come to love. In five seasons at Duke, he played 759 snaps at right tackle, 2,301 at right guard, 473 at center and 18 at left guard. He allowed 12 sacks and 14 QB hits on 1,916 pass-blocking snaps.
The Green Bay Packers offensive line has Zach Tom and Rasheed Walker at their tackle positions, so Monk will be primarily a backup this year. Tom has played 952 pass-blocking snaps in his NFL career, allowing just three sacks and six QB hits. Aside from Trent Williams, Walker was the best left tackle in football in terms of pass-blocking win rate last year. Additionally, Elgton Jenkins did not allow a sack in 544 pass-blocking snaps last year and is undoubtedly the team’s starting left guard.
The right guard position was the most open to competition before training camp. However, Jordan Morgan looked confident during first-team drills and could begin his career at right guard. The Packers listed Josh Myers as their starting center in their first unofficial rankings of the year. This is a crucial season for Myers, as he is entering the final year of his rookie contract and has not yet given Green Bay a compelling reason to extend his contract after this season.
The Packers can use Monk. If Zach Tom or Rasheed Walker get injured, they could use Morgan at tackle and Monk at guard. Green Bay’s guard depth is concerning. Royce Newman has had a disappointing career. The Packers drafted Sean Rhyan in the third round, but they don’t know his potential yet. Lecitus Smith has never had a snap in his career. Andre Dillard can move inside if needed, but Rashan Gary has been messing with him in training camp.
Monk will likely get his first cracks as a backup and starter on the interior. The Packers have unofficially listed Monk as a backup center, meaning he’ll likely step in if Myers is out. However, LaFleur could move Jenkins to center and use Rhyan at guard.
Green Bay will likely be cautious with Monk before adding him to the lineup, even if he ultimately proves to be a reliable starter. The center typically sets up and adjusts pass defense at the line of scrimmage, and the Packers would likely have Jenkins take over those duties if Myers is out. Additionally, we don’t know how Morgan will play at right guard, as it’s a big adjustment for a rookie to play on a different side of the offensive line at a position he didn’t play in Arizona. If Morgan struggles early in the year, Green Bay could find themselves choosing between Monk and Rhyan at right guard.
The Packers have a recipe for finding offensive linemen on the third day of the draft. David Bakhtiari, Josh Sitton and Zach Tom were all selected in the fourth round, Corey Linsley in the fifth round and Rasheed Walker was selected in the seventh round. Adam Stenavich knows how to develop offensive linemen. Under his coaching, Monk could be Green Bay’s next lucky find at the line of scrimmage.
