Packers quick reaction NFL Draft grades 2019: Elgton Jenkins
The Green Bay Packers turned to offense in the second round, selecting Elgton Jenkins.
In need of help along the offensive line, the Green Bay Packers have added competition for the two starting guards by selecting Elgton Jenkins out of Mississippi State.
The Packers needed to get better at the interior positions on the line, and Jenkins will help that.
Here’s our grade for the pick:
Much-needed competition at guard
While Jenkins is listed as a center, he has the versatility to play across the line and he’ll most likely start as a guard in Green Bay. That’s potentially bad news for Lane Taylor moving forward. The Packers now have competition for starting places between Jenkins, Billy Turner and Cole Madison.
It might not be the most exciting selection for fans, but it was a necessary one. The Packers had to improve at guard and add more depth, and with the addition of Jenkins and Turner, and the return of Madison, they’re in much better shape ahead of the 2019 season.
After going almost all defense throughout the offseason, it was important they got help on offense here.
Packers pass up on a lot of talent
The Packers did, however, pass up on a lot of talent at No. 44. Could Gutekunst have found help at guard later on?
Wide receivers DK Metcalf and A.J. Brown were both surprisingly still available, and the Packers could’ve also strengthened the secondary by selecting cornerback Greedy Williams, or added a tight end in Irv Smith Jr.
Drafting another pass catcher for Aaron Rodgers would’ve made sense, but it’s also important to improve the protection up front. This perhaps shows the confidence Gutekunst and Matt LaFleur have in the current group of wide receivers on the roster.
The most important thing is that Rodgers got some help in this round, and Jenkins could become a starter quickly at guard.