Zach Tom the latest day three draft steal up front for Packers
Zach Tom's solid preseason points toward him being a contributor up front for Green Bay this season.
By GunnarDavis
Stop me if you've heard this one before: The Green Bay Packers found a solid offensive lineman in the middle-to-late rounds of the NFL Draft.
Zach Tom, Green Bay's 2022 fourth round pick from Wake Forest, has been outstanding in the preseason at multiple spots.
According to PFF, Tom had 69 pass blocking snaps and didn't allow a pressure, posting a pass-blocking grade of 87.6% -- which was highest of any rookie lineman in the league this preseason.
But it's no surprise that the team from Titletown may have found another gem up front on day three of the draft. It's seems that's been a trend for the Packers front office.
The majority of the top guys in the offensive line room were either day three finds or went undrafted. Outside of Tom, David Bakhtiari (4th rd.), Royce Newman (4th rd.), Jon Runyan Jr. (6th rd.), Jake Hanson (6th rd.) and Yosh Nijman (Undrafted) are players the Packers will likely count on at various points throughout 2022.
Even more so, the Packers currently don't have a first round pick at offensive line even on the roster. The last time the Packers went with an offensive lineman in the first round was 2011 (Derek Sherrod - they can't all be wins).
Wild.
That the Packers haven't needed to draft an offensive lineman in the first round is a testament to the organization's scouts, coaching and consistent offensive line play over the past decade.
I think the most exciting part of the offensive line room the Packers have crafted this season is the versatility.
Many of the fellas up front have been mixed-and-matched and have shown the capability of playing multiple positions.
That's no different for Tom, who has played everywhere except center during practices. At right tackle and left guard during preseason contests, Tom has shown patience, quick feet and strong balance in pass-protection. In the run game, he's also excelled.
Many are calling for Tom to be included in the starting five if Elgton Jenkins and/or David Bakhtiari aren't ready to go when the Packers play Minnesota on Sept. 11.
While I generally agree, I won't try and take a stab at who those starting five could be come Week 1.
All I know is that I'm happy that Green Bay has seemingly, once again, found another gem up front on day three of the draft.
__________________________
Gunnar Davis is a lifelong Packers fan and a recent graduate of Simpson College, where he was a 3-year letterwinner on the offensive line and graduated with a degree in multimedia communications. You can follow him on Twitter at @Gunnar57Davis.
__________________________
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE.
__________________________
Comments (25)
Coldworld
August 31, 2022 at 12:06 pm
Tom should not be starting unless we have injuries. Amongst all that fan babble is the fact that he didn’t rate as high as Newman at G. If Bakh and Jenkins are back, the top 6 are Bakh, Jenkins, Runyon, Myers, Nijman and Newman (G). If we only get one of Bakh and Jenkins back then Tom goes from being 2nd choice G on the left and 3rd in the right to 2nd T as well, unless their estimation of Walker is high enough to displace him.
He’s a really useful piece and could be a lot more with a year in the weight room, but the hype is out of control here.
PackyCheese500
August 31, 2022 at 12:56 pm
He did not allow a SINGLE PRESSURE in the preseason, and as an emergency option, I’d be comfortable with him. I agree, though, that there’s definitely room for improvement.
Coldworld
August 31, 2022 at 01:17 pm
Jones allowed one hurry and isn’t on the team. Not the same level I understand, but it should inject a little reality. Neither saw a blitz, stunt or scheme.
WestCoastPackerBacker
August 31, 2022 at 12:58 pm
D Bahk shouldn't have been starting as a rookie either, but in the end he had a decent rookie season, and good enough that they kept him there when Bulaga got healthy.
Coldworld
August 31, 2022 at 02:26 pm
He was forced to start due to injuries. He’s an exception anyway, but I never said Tom can’t grow into a starter, just that this was premature anointing of a guy who we really shouldn’t want starting this year because if what it will mean.
dobber
August 31, 2022 at 01:40 pm
Should be a rostered redshirt year, yes.
I look at the Bears and the Vikings and how they've tried over the years to find OL quality and depth, and have struggled to do so. The Packers have been very fortunate to not only find guys who can play (thanks, Milt) but also coach them up. It's been a long time since a healthy Packers OL has not ranked highly in the league.
jannesbjornson
August 31, 2022 at 03:30 pm
The guy has not even suited up for a real time contest. He could be a move guy and lead the wide zones. A jar on the shelf-Vic.
murf7777
August 31, 2022 at 12:16 pm
I’ve been very impressed with Tom. His he has solid technique and footwork. He is also looks good and athletic when pulling while run blocking. His RAS score was a 9.97 out of a 10 and you can tell. The only thing holding him back from a 10 is his size at 6’4 and 304lbs. His weight is a bit light and probably could use the weight room as he didn’t do the bench at the combine. If you put him at Center he is a 10.
I believe he has already played 4 out of 5 OL positions in the pre-season. Might they have found another gem like Jenkins. How did he last till day 3? I’m not sure how they keep him out of the starting lineup this year.
This year has the makings as one of the best drafts over the last 30+ years. I don’t recall them ever keeping every draft pick, especially 11 onto the 53 man roster. That might change in the next couple of days with their 7th rounders, but it’s impressive.
PatrickGB
August 31, 2022 at 12:39 pm
Meanwhile, the lineman picked in the round ahead of him…might need some work.
PackEyedOptimist
August 31, 2022 at 01:29 pm
I liked the Rhyan pick a lot, and I still think he’ll be very good in a year or two. Keep in mind, Rhyan is only 21 years old; give him two years.
Coldworld
August 31, 2022 at 02:28 pm
We will gradually get some insight as to what the issues are.
jannesbjornson
August 31, 2022 at 03:42 pm
A Greenhorn. Yes, he will turn 22, 9/21/22, auspicious numbers for Red Dragon. He's a Sitton type, played for Kelley's fast-blast offense, starting at LT since his freshman year. Big paws. Sitton started a couple games as a rookie. I would let this guy develop and hopefully he will get into the scrum on the right flank. He was chosen ahead of Tom for a reason. Lang took 2-3 years to master the guard spot.
PackyCheese500
August 31, 2022 at 12:59 pm
Did y’all see that (as I predicted: see 53 man roster article comments) the Packers have just signed S Rudy Ford? He’s a viable backup and special teams ace. However, they’ve cut Abernathy. Personally, I would’ve cut Carpenter instead - Abernathy I though (and still do think) has real potential to be a quality #3 Safety
LeotisHarris
August 31, 2022 at 05:33 pm
Easy, Nostradamus. Make sure you get plenty of rest because seeing the future takes a toll on the mind and body. You're sure to experience crippling headaches soon, and it's not uncommon to have discharge from the ears and nose. Elevate your feet whenever possible.
Wisma Packer
September 01, 2022 at 05:45 am
L.O.L !
freddisch
August 31, 2022 at 03:11 pm
With Their success in finding starters in the 4th and later rounds, they should trade their 3rd round picks for additional selections in the 4th or later rounds
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
August 31, 2022 at 03:48 pm
With the Packers drafting of OL it makes me wonder if the Packers truly needed to take Myers at Center in round 2 with the 62nd pick?
13TimeChamps
August 31, 2022 at 03:55 pm
Center is considerably more important than either guard spot. If you find a guy you like, you take him.
Leatherhead
August 31, 2022 at 04:55 pm
Knock, don’t take my word for it, you can Google about the importance of the respective positions, but I’m pretty sure you’ll see that there is a general consensus that LT is the most important position for several reasons, including protecting the QBs blindside.
After LT, it’s your Center, because he handles the ball on every play and calls out blocking adjustments. Then it’s the RT, then the LG and RG
We lost Linsley and needed a guy who could start as a rookie at the second most important spot, and he handled it well until he got beat down. He got up and he looks pretty good to me. But I still don’t know if he’ll survive until the playoffs.
Coldworld
August 31, 2022 at 09:11 pm
Myers was very good in preseason. If he carries that over into the regular season he will look like a much better pick.
jvole
August 31, 2022 at 04:00 pm
It is remarkable how well the Packers have done with drafting lineman in the later rounds .
I think Tom actually grades higher than Bakhtiari in RAS, or very similar. It is hard to believe he was still available.
egbertsouse
August 31, 2022 at 04:33 pm
The writer practically has this guy in his HOF because he played pretty good against a bunch of scrubs in the preseason. I love fan site homers.
LambeauPlain
August 31, 2022 at 04:34 pm
I was impressed with Tom's performance during the Preseason. He did not lose many battles. Did he lose any?
Nice skill set with very quick feet, great balance & leverage and nice pass blocking...and he seems a natural for the wide zone run attack too. Stays low as he runs to his target.
Add on his versatility and Tom looks to be a most valuable backup. I am so hoping to see Dave, Jenks, Myers, JRJ, Yosh up in MN. Those would be my best 5. And Tom is probably #6.
Leatherhead
August 31, 2022 at 04:41 pm
There’s never been a team that had too many good offensive linemen. We end our seasons with a makeshift line of backups, and Tom will probably be one of them. He’ll get stronger and smarter during the season.
I think he’ll start getting more of a look at RT until Jenkins is more ready, at least playing some snaps.
Xxxxcxcxxxx
Just saw that we got Mt. Caleb through waivers and on the PS. Yay.
mrtundra
September 04, 2022 at 08:01 am
I'm praying Elgton will be our RT and that he is ready to go in week one. I like Tom, a lot, and would like him to be Elgton's back up at RT. I do not want to see Newman play anything other than RG. Caleb Jones should be moved up ASAP to fill in at RT, as well. I haven't seen Rasheed Walker play at RT to know how he plays. I think it is weird that he was given the roster spot over Caleb Jones, I get that Gute likes his draft picks, but can anyone really say Walker outplayed Caleb Jones in camp? GO PACK, GO!!!