Packers draft grades: Royce Newman adds offensive line depth

The Green Bay Packers had the league’s best offensive line last season, but injuries hit during the playoffs and they struggled against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ dominant pass rush in the NFC Championship Game.

Since the end of the season, center Corey Linsley left in free agency and right tackle Rick Wagner was released. It was clear the Packers needed to add some depth to the offensive line this offseason, and they’ve done this.

First, they drafted center Josh Myers in the second round. In the fourth, they’ve added another lineman with tackle Royce Newman out of Ole Miss.

Tackle is a premium position and Green Bay has a good track record of drafting offensive linemen on Day 3 of the draft. All-Pro David Bakhtiari was a fourth-round pick in 2013. Now, Newman gets to learn from the best tackle in the game.

Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network wrote that “Newman could be a Day 3 steal and eventually develop into a Sunday starter” and noted his impressive performance at the Senior Bowl.

Versatility along the offensive line is important for the Packers and they’ve got more of that with Newman, who can play at both tackle and guard. Newman is another Packers pick with a great Relative Athletic Score (RAS). His RAS is 8.72.

Newman will likely be a developmental prospect who begins life in the NFL as a backup. But with his versatility, he’ll be able to help out at multiple spots along the offensive line when needed.

Keeping the starting offensive line strong and with good depth is a must, and it’s been a priority for GM Brian Gutekunst. He drafted three interior offensive linemen on the final day a year ago, and has now used two of the top four picks this year on linemen. It’s a smart strategy.

Initially, Newman will provide depth. But in the future he could be a candidate to start at either tackle or guard.