Packers: Elgton Jenkins should play at right tackle in 2022

With Elgton Jenkins activated from the physically unable to perform list earlier this week, the Green Bay Packers‘ Pro Bowl offensive lineman is nearing a return.

Jenkins can play all five positions along the line.

In 2020, he made the Pro Bowl as a guard. Last season, he played at left tackle to cover for David Bakhtiari.

Jenkins can do it all.

This season, right tackle makes the most sense for Jenkins. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur hasn’t committed to a position for the former Pro Bowler, but the early signs point to right tackle.

According to Rob Demovsky of ESPN, Jenkins continued to work at right tackle during Wednesday’s practice. This has been the case all week.

With David Bakhtiari set to return this season, Jenkins won’t be needed to cover on the left side of the offensive line.

And while Jenkins would be a great choice to play at guard, tackle is a premium position, and one the Packers don’t have as much depth as at the interior spots.

Green Bay has plenty of good options at guard: Jon Runyan, Royce Newman, Zach Tom, and Sean Rhyan are among the top candidates. Jake Hanson could also win a starting job at guard.

Tackle is a more important position, so it makes sense to have one of the Packers’ best offensive linemen out there. Especially considering Jenkins has shown he can play at an All-Pro level at the position.

LaFleur hasn’t yet said which position Jenkins will play this season, but if practice is anything to go by, he will be the Packers’ starting right tackle.

And we should get used to it. Jenkins is entering a contract year and he will want tackle money on his next contract. You don’t pay a player tackle money to line up at guard.

Jenkins should be the Packers’ starting right tackle in 2022 and beyond.