NFL Draft: Previewing Packers’ Offensive Tackle Prospects

The Packers need, at the very least, depth at offensive tackle. They might even need a starter. Here is a look at a powerful but top-heavy NFL Draft class.

Penn State OT Olu Fashanu / Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers have a big need at offensive tackle entering the 2024 NFL Draft. It’s perhaps their biggest need.

The Packers almost reached the NFC Championship Game with Rasheed Walker at left tackle and Zach Tom at right tackle. Do the Packers believe Walker is the long-term answer at left tackle? Even if they do, following the release of the former All-Pro David Bakhtiari and the free-agent defection by capable backup Yosh Nijman, is there even another NFL-caliber tackle on the roster?

ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky amplified that need when he said the Packers “think Zach Tom is a Pro Bowl right tackle, an All-Pro guard and a potential Hall of Fame center.” If Tom is slated to replace Josh Myers at center, the Packers would need a starting right tackle and a backup tackle.

“I think the starting center is on this team, but it’s not Josh Myers.”@MarkTauscher65 was FIRED UP by this insight from ESPN #Packers reporter @RobDemovsky joining today’s show. 🔥

FULL SHOW on YouTube: https://t.co/5ARi5VQdh5 pic.twitter.com/YUWGTXbBbd

— Wilde & Tausch (@WildeAndTausch) April 12, 2024

Fortunately, a high-quality class of offensive awaits – though the depth falls off a cliff after about three rounds. Here is our preview, which does not include the obvious No. 1 prospect, Notre Dame’s Joe Alt, who will be long gone. This story leads off with Penn State’s Olu Fashanu, who also will be long gone by No. 25 but could be a trade-up target if he falls into the mid-teens. Players who wouldn’t seem to fit the team’s usual parameters are not included. That includes Duke’s Graham Barton and Arizona’s Jordan Morgan, who will be listed with the interior linemen.

Olu Fashanu, Penn State

6-foot-6, 312 pounds. 34 arms. 5.11 40, DNP shuttle, 9.58 RAS

Fashanu replaced Rasheed Walker at left tackle and dominated. During his two years as the starter, he allowed zero sacks. Of the 100 FBS-level offensive tackles in this draft class who played at least 640 offensive snaps in 2023, he finished ninth in PFF’s pass-blocking efficiency, which measures sacks, hits and hurries per pass-rushing snap. He was flagged four times.

Fashanu was voted the Big Ten’s Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2023. He also was academic all-Big Ten and a finalist for the Campbell Trophy – aka the Academic Heisman. With his athleticism, he’s a perfect fit for Green Bay’s system, though he needs to improve his consistency in that phase of the game.

He’s got tiny 8.5-inch hands – an inch smaller than everyone but Houston’s Patrick Paul (9 3/8) and 2 3/4 smaller than Georgia’s Amarius Mims. Could that push him within range for the Packers?

Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State

6-foot-5 3/4, 324 pounds. 33 1/8 arms. 5.13 40, DNP shuttle, 9.63 RAS.

Fuaga was a two-year starter at right tackle. He didn’t allow a sack in either of those two seasons, and he was almost a unanimous first-team All-American in 2023. Of the 100 FBS-level offensive tackles in this draft class who played at least 640 offensive snaps in 2023, he ranked 18th in PFF pass-blocking efficiency, which measures sacks, hits and hurries per-pass rushing snap. He was penalized eight times.

He is an outstanding blend of athleticism, strength and nastiness, which shows up in the run game, where he might be the best in the draft. His arms fall below the 34-inch threshold, but Zach Tom and Bryan Bulaga had short arms, too.

JC Latham, Alabama

6-foot-5 3/4, 342 pounds. 35 1/8 arms. DNP testing, No RAS.

Latham was a two-year starting right tackle. He allowed zero sacks and 12 total pressures in 2022 and two sacks and 14 total pressures in 2023. Latham, who spent most of his childhood in suburban Milwaukee, was a second-team All-American in 2023.

Of the 100 FBS-level offensive tackles in this draft class who played at least 640 offensive snaps in 2023, he ranked 21st in PFF pass-blocking efficiency, which measures sacks, hits and hurries per-pass rushing snap. He was penalized seven times – a lot but better than 11 in 2022. He is a dominating mauler in the run game but probably not suited for Green Bay’s offensive style.

Amarius Mims, Georgia

6-foot-7 3/4, 340 pounds. 36 1/8 arms. 5.07 40, DNP shuttle, 9.59 RAS.

Mims started eight games in three seasons at Georgia. The lack of playing time was one part depth chart and one part injuries. His first career starts came during the 2022 playoffs. In 2023, he started six games but missed six with an ankle injury. He tweaked a hamstring during the Scouting Combine. Because of the ankle, Mims fell far short of our playing-time thresholds. Had he made the cut, he would have ranked first in PFF’s pass-blocking efficiency. He allowed zero sacks and just one pressure in 168 pass-protecting snaps. He is an incredible talent.

As the late Ted Thompson might have said, the Good Lord didn’t make too many people with Mims’ combination of size and athleticism. His 11 1/4-inch hands are as ginormous as his arms are long. If you’re picking Mims, it’s because you are looking for a potentially great player rather than simply very good.

Troy Fautanu, Washington

6-foot-3 3/4, 317 pounds. 34.5 arms. 5.01 40, DNP shuttle, 9.62 RAS.

Fautanu was a two-year starter at left tackle and a driving force behind a team that reached the playoffs. He allowed zero sacks in 2022 and two sacks in 2023, when he was a third-team All-American and won the Morris Trophy as the best offensive lineman in the Pac-12 as voted on by the defensive linemen.

Of the 100 FBS-level offensive tackles in this draft class who played at least 640 offensive snaps in 2023, he ranked 28th in PFF pass-blocking efficiency, which measures sacks, hits and hurries per-pass rushing snap. He was penalized six times. The lack of height might move him to guard but Marshall Newhouse was a 33-game starter at 6-foot-3 5/8, and Zach Tom and David Bakhtiari are a half-inch taller. At least he’s got the arm length and athleticism.

Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma

6-foot-7 3/4, 322 pounds. 34 1/8 arms. 5.19 40, 4.71 shuttle, 9.73 RAS.

In high school, Guyton played mostly on the defensive line. At TCU, he redshirted in 2020 and his lone start in 2021 came at H-back. He transferred to Oklahoma and was a two-year starting right tackle as the blind-side protector to a left-handed quarterback. He allowed two sacks in 2022 and zero in 2023. Of the 100 FBS-level offensive tackles in this draft class who played at least 640 offensive snaps in 2023, he ranked 18th in PFF pass-blocking efficiency, which measures sacks, hits and hurries per-pass rushing snap. He was penalized five times.

With his background and athleticism, he’s an easy fit in Green Bay’s zone-based run game. He’s got a chance to be great. However, his lack of experience, so-so run blocking and injury history (missed total of five games the last two years is a bit concerning.

Kingsley Suamataia, BYU

6-foot-4 5/8, 325 pounds. 34 1/4 arms. 5.04 40, DNP shuttle, 9.40 RAS.

Suamataia played in one game for Oregon in 2021 before transferring. As the starting right tackle in 2022, he allowed zero sacks. As the starting left tackle in 2023, he allowed two. Of the 100 FBS-level offensive tackles in this draft class who played at least 640 offensive snaps in 2023, he ranked 28th in PFF pass-blocking efficiency, which measures sacks, hits and hurries per-pass rushing snap. He was penalized four times.

More than just a pass protector, he’s an athletic and physical run blocker. As The Athletic’s Dane Brugler wrote, he “delivers more pancakes than Denny’s.” He might be a bit of a project, but the upside is huge if he can consistently put it all together.

Patrick Paul, Houston

6-foot-7 1/2, 331 pounds. 36 1/4 arms. 5.13 40, 4.71 shuttle, 9.67 RAS.

Paul started at left tackle all three seasons. He was first-team all-conference in 2022, earned some All-American honors in 2023 and was a two-year team captain. He allowed one sack and 18 total pressures in 2022 and one sack and nine total pressures in 2023.

Of the 100 FBS-level offensive tackles in this draft class who played at least 640 offensive snaps in 2023, he ranked fourth in PFF pass-blocking efficiency, which measures sacks, hits and hurries per-pass rushing snap. He was guilty of only three penalties. He is well-versed in a zone-blocking scheme but his height causes him some issues.

Roger Rosengarten, Washington

6-foot-5 3/8, 308 pounds, 33.5 arms. 4.92 40, 4.60 shuttle, 9.19 RAS.

Lost in the considerable shadow of Fautanu, Rosengarten was a two-year starting right tackle who was an honorable mention on the all-Pac-12 team in 2023. He didn’t allow a sack in his two seasons in the lineup as Michael Penix’s blind-side protector.

Of the 100 FBS-level offensive tackles in this draft class who played at least 640 offensive snaps in 2023, he ranked seventh in PFF pass-blocking efficiency, which measures sacks, hits and hurries per-pass rushing snap. He is well-versed in a zone scheme but there is another gear to reach in the run game. A year of NFL strength training will help.

Kiran Amegadjie, Yale

6-foot-5 3/8, 323 pounds, 36 1/8 arms. DNP testing (thigh). No RAS.

Amegadjie started at right guard in 2021 before moving to left tackle for his final two seasons. How good is he? He was a third-team FCS All-American and first-team all-Ivy League choice despite playing in only four games because of a quad injury.

For what it’s worth, he allowed zero sacks and 10 total pressures in 14 games the last two seasons. What does matter are the traits. He’s got the requisite height and weight. His arm length is incredible. The athleticism jumps out on tape. The quad kept him out of the Senior Bowl and prevented him from testing at the Combine.

Brandon Coleman, TCU

6-foot-4 1/2, 313 pounds, 34 5/8 arms. 4.98 40, 4.62 shuttle, 9.69 RAS.

Coleman brings versatility and athleticism to the party. He started seven games at left guard and one at right guard in 2021, all 15 games at left tackle in 2022 and seven games at left tackle and four games at left guard in 2023. He was second-team all-Big 12 in 2023, when he allowed zero sacks but 20 total pressures.

Of the 100 FBS-level offensive tackles in this draft class who played at least 640 offensive snaps in 2023, he ranked only 42nd in PFF pass-blocking efficiency, which measures sacks, hits and hurries per-pass rushing snap. He was flagged six times. He’d be a good fit in Green Bay’s system, and the testing numbers show untapped talent.

Blake Fisher, Notre Dame

6-foot-5 3/4, 319 pounds, 34 3/8 arms. 5.20 40, 4.73 shuttle, 7.72 RAS.

Fisher manned the right side the last two years while Joe Alt was the left tackle. He cut his sack count from five to three in 2023. Of the 100 FBS-level offensive tackles in this draft class who played at least 640 offensive snaps in 2023, he ranked 59th in PFF pass-blocking efficiency, which measures sacks, hits and hurries per-pass rushing snap. He was penalized five times.

The whole does not equal the sum of his parts. He might have done well to go back to school so he could play left tackle in 2024. A Day 2 pick on Fisher would be a bet on the coaching staff.

Christian Jones, Texas

6-foot-5 1/4, 305 pounds, 34 1/2 arms. 5.04 40, 4.78 shuttle, 6.18 RAS.

Jones was a four-year starter, with nine starts at right tackle in 2020, 12 at left tackle in 2021, and 13 apiece at right tackle in 2022 and 2023. He allowed just one sack as a sixth-year senior. Of the 100 FBS-level offensive tackles in this draft class who played at least 640 offensive snaps in 2023, he ranked fifth in PFF pass-blocking efficiency, which measures sacks, hits and hurries per-pass rushing snap. He was guilty of eight penalties.

He’s got a lot of zone-scheme experience. The 40 time is great; the shuttle time is not, and the Packers typically put a tremendous amount of stock in that.

Josiah Ezirim, Eastern Kentucky

6-foot-5 3/4, 328 pounds, 35 arms. 5.15 40, DNP shuttle, 8.50 RAS.

After toiling for two years on the defensive line, Ezirim was the starting right tackle for most of his final two seasons. He allowed two sacks in 2022 and zero in 2023, when he was a second-team FCS All-American. He was flagged for three penalties. “Any time you get a drive block, and you move somebody back five-plus yards, that’s such a great feeling,” Ezirim told The Richmond Register. Clearly, given his level of competition and the position change, he’ll be a project. But his athleticism and length are hard to ignore.

Tylan Grable, Central Florida

6-foot-5 3/4, 306 pounds, 33 5/8 arms. 4.95 40, DNP shuttle, 9.85 RAS.

Grable was a high school quarterback who was a zero-star recruit after missing his senior season due to injury. He walked on at Jacksonville State as a tight end in 2018 and moved to the offensive line in 2019. By 2020, he was a second-team FCS All-American. He spent his final two seasons playing left tackle at UCF. He allowed zero sacks and just seven total pressures as a sixth-year senior.

Of the 100 FBS-level offensive tackles in this draft class who played at least 640 offensive snaps in 2023, he ranked seventh in PFF pass-blocking efficiency, which measures sacks, hits and hurries per-pass rushing snap. He was guilty of eight penalties.

Frank Crum, Wyoming

6-foot-8 1/4, 313 pounds, 33 7/8 arms. 4.94 40, 4.73 shuttle, 9.86 RAS.

At his height and with the issues that can come with it, Crum might not be on the board. The Packers haven’t drafted tall tackles but they have kept Caleb Jones and Luke Tenuta. Regardless, with his athleticism, he’s perhaps worth a late-round shot if the Packers are looking to add another tackle to the fray.

After starting 36 games at right tackle from 2019 through 2022, he allowed four sacks and 20 total pressures upon moving to left tackle in 2023. Of the 100 FBS-level offensive tackles in this draft class who played at least 640 offensive snaps in 2023, he ranked 73rd in PFF pass-blocking efficiency, which measures sacks, hits and hurries per-pass rushing snap. He was penalized four times.

Giovanni Manu, British Columbia

6-foot-7 3/8, 352 pounds, 34 5/8 arms. 5.06 40, 4.81 shuttle, 8.84 RAS.

The Packers are set to host Manu on a predraft visit. 

Zach Tom / Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

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