Packers to hold video conference with tackle Josh Jones
The Green Bay Packers will hold a video conference with potential first-round target Josh Jones.
Even after signing Rick Wagner in free agency, tackle remains a priority for the Green Bay Packers.
The Packers haven’t used a first-round pick on an offensive tackle since 2011 when they selected Derek Sherrod. That could potentially change this year.
A first-round candidate for Green Bay is Houston tackle Josh Jones. According to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, the Packers will hold a video conference with Jones ahead of the draft.
NFL teams have been unable to meet with draft prospects due to the COVID-19 pandemic but are able to have conversations with players digitally.
Jones is one of the top tackle prospects in the class and he could be viewed as a long-term replacement for Bryan Bulaga, who signed with the Los Angeles Chargers last month. Jones is the 39th-best player in the class in NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah’s rankings. Jeremiah wrote that Jones “should be a solid, dependable starter early in his career”.
If the Packers did draft Jones in the first round, would he start right away? What would it mean for Wagner?
One possibility is the Packers would take a similar approach as they did at left guard a year ago. Veteran Lane Taylor remained the starter despite the team drafting Elgton Jenkins in the second round. Once Jenkins got his opportunity due to an injury to Taylor, he impressed and has since won the starting job.
Taking a tackle early in the draft would be a smart move by GM Brian Gutekunst. It’s a premier position. Replacing Bulaga won’t be easy. The Packers could put him on an island against elite pass rushers where he had a lot of success throughout his career.
Wagner can be a good short-term option at right tackle but Green Bay also needs to think long-term. All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari is a free agent next year but should be a priority to re-sign. Finding him a long-term partner on the other side of the offensive line would make sense in this year’s draft.
Maybe Jones will be the pick at No. 30.