Packers: Breaking down the options at center in 2021
Replacing a player as talented as Corey Linsley is no easy task, but the Green Bay Packers face the reality of entering 2021 with a fresh start at center with their former All-Pro departing in free agency.
Fortunately, the Packers have many different directions they can choose to go in, not only at center but across the offensive line. David Bakhtiari’s knee injury could complicate things at tackle if he misses any time this season, but the Packers are in good shape at center.
While it won’t be easy for any player to replicate Linsley’s excellent 2020 season, the Packers still have the opportunity to put together a strong starting offensive line this year, including in the middle.
Let’s look at the four most realistic options for the Packers at center this year.
Josh Myers
At some point in the near future, the expectation should be that Myers will be the Packers’ starting center. It’s why they drafted him in the second round back in April. Entering training camp, Myers should be considered the frontrunner to replace Linsley.
Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network wrote prior to the draft that “Myers could be a longtime starter in the NFL in the proper system”.
Like Linsley, Myers played his college football at Ohio State, and he’ll be aiming to follow in Linsley’s footsteps by being named the starter in Week 1 of his rookie season.
Entering training camp, Myers appears to be the top choice. It’s now on him to show over the summer that he’s ready for the starting job. Myers replacing Linsley would free up other players to line up at guard or tackle.
Lucas Patrick
Patrick has become a reliable starting lineman for the Packers, mostly playing at one of the guard positions. But Patrick has some experience at center, including at times last season when Corey Linsley missed time.
Patrick filled in for Linsley late in the year against the Detroit Lions, a performance that earned praise from NFL Network’s Ben Fennell.
If Myers isn’t ready to start in Week 1 and the Packers want to go with experience early on, Patrick would be an ideal choice. Jon Runyan Jr. could then take over at guard from Patrick.
Elgton Jenkins
Elgton Jenkins is the Packers’ best offensive lineman not named David Bakhtiari, and his ability to play all five positions makes him so valuable. The fact he’s a Pro Bowl guard but could start at tackle or center this season shows just how incredible his versatility is.
Wes Hodkiewicz of Packers.com wrote that he doesn’t think Jenkins will start at center this season, which perhaps suggests he’s more likely to play at tackle.
But Jenkins has spent time at center in recent years, and he played there at Mississippi State in college.
Jenkins can be a Pro Bowler at any of the five positions along the offensive line. If the Packers need him there, they can count on him to play at a high level.
Jake Hanson
Perhaps Jake Hanson’s only shot at making the 53-man roster is to win the starting center job. He doesn’t offer the same versatility as other offensive linemen on the roster. Drafting Myers in the second round hurts Hanson’s chances of making the 53.
However, if he makes a second-year jump and looks comfortable there, he could enter the conversation.
Hanson plays at center and wouldn’t need to move positions like Patrick or Jenkins. It’s a long shot, but anything is possible.