Green Bay Packers 2018 position outlook: Guard
The Green Bay Packers’ competition for the right guard job will be one of the training camp battles to watch this summer.
Gone are the days when the Green Bay Packers could lean on Josh Sitton and T.J. Lang at the two guard spots. For years, this duo dominated up front for the Packers.
Sitton was a Pro Bowler three times in Green Bay, Lang once.
Last year, Lane Taylor and Jahri Evans played well at the two guard spots. Following Evans’ departure, the team needs to find a new starter.
Currently on the roster
Lane Taylor, Justin McCray, Lucas Patrick, Kofi Amichia, Cole Madison, Adam Pankey, Alex Light, Jacob Alsadek
Who makes the final 53-man roster?
Taylor is the only guaranteed starter among this group. There will be competition for places over the summer.
As things stand, I have Taylor and McCray as the two starting guards. Unless the Packers sign a free agent between now and the start of the season, I believe McCray will be the starter at right guard.
That probably only leaves two roster spots. Lucas Patrick is likely the frontrunner to be the top backup at guard.
Will second-year Kofi Amichia or 2018 draft pick Cole Madison perform well enough at training camp to secure a spot on the 53?
Key player
Lane Taylor: Taylor has quietly been a consistent performer at left guard over the past couple of years. He took the job from Josh Sitton ahead of the 2016 season, and has played well ever since.
Since taking over the starting job, Taylor has played 31 out of a possible 32 regular season games.
Position outlook
As long as Taylor is healthy, the Packers are set at left guard. Currently there is some uncertainty on the right side of the offensive line.
Green Bay hasn’t re-signed Jahri Evans, which creates a training camp battle for the starting job. McCray stepped up and played well when the Packers needed him last year, but can be become the starter?
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The Packers do have talent on the roster and should have no trouble filling the starting spot. But is there enough depth along the offensive line? Time will tell.