Packers 2022 roster preview: Will Jon Runyan Jr. start?

Jon Runyan Jr. landed a starting job at guard for the Green Bay Packers last season and played well.

Runyan will face competition from rookies Sean Rhyan and Zach Tom at training camp this summer.

Will Runyan be a starter for the Packers again in 2022?

2021 stats

Runyan made 16 starts for the Packers in the regular season. He rarely left the field. According to Pro Football Reference, Runyan played 1,053 offensive snaps in 2021. Only Royce Newman played more for the Packers.

2021 season review

Runyan, a sixth-round pick by the Packers in 2020, was limited to a backup role in his rookie year. When he did play, he was impressive, and it certainly didn’t go unnoticed.

Fast forward to the following summer, and Runyan continued to impress as he competed for a starting job.

Runyan had to wait for that opportunity. According to Pro Football Reference, he played just one snap in Week 1 against the New Orleans Saints, which came on special teams.

The following week against the Detroit Lions, Runyan started ahead of Lucas Patrick and didn’t look back. He was impressive in that performance and ended up starting every game the rest of the season.

Will he make the roster?

Yes. Runyan has continued to improve in his first two seasons and will be a frontrunner for a starting job at guard this season.

What to expect in 2022

Runyan has made the most of his opportunities. As a rookie, he impressed as a backup.

When he got his first start in Week 2 last season, he played well and gave Matt LaFleur the confidence to keep him in the lineup.

Runyan will face competition from second-year Royce Newman and rookies Sean Rhyan and Zach Tom.

LaFleur could go with any two from that group as his preferred starters at guard, but it’s tough to look past Runyan right now.

He played well last season and got a ton of experience as a regular starter. The Packers should feel confident with Runyan as a starting guard.