Packers: Elgton Jenkins should move back to left guard

After last week’s embarrassing performance from the offensive line, Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur has tough decisions regarding the starting five. One of them is figuring out Elgton Jenkins’ best position.

During his time in Green Bay, Elgton Jenkins has played at each position along the offensive line. However, his full-time move to right tackle this season hasn’t gone as planned.

The Packers‘ offensive line has struggled in recent weeks, most notably at the interior spots. Jenkins, too, has made a slow start after returning from a torn ACL.

One move the Packers have to make is to bench Royce Newman. Matt LaFleur did bench him last week against the New York Jets, but replacement Jake Hanson then suffered an injury, prompting LaFleur to put Newman back in.

The harsh reality is that Newman isn’t playing well enough to start, and Hanson isn’t the answer, either. LaFleur needs to reshuffle his starting five.

Why the Packers need Elgton Jenkins at left guard

There is no easy fix, and each possible solution comes with some risk. But here’s why Elgton Jenkins to left guard makes the most sense.

Jenkins has struggled at right tackle. Considering his importance to the offensive line, the Packers should put him in his strongest position. That would be left guard, where he was a Pro Bowler in 2020.

The risk? This requires moving Jon Runyan Jr. to the other side of the offensive line. That can require a difficult transition and there’s no guarantee Runyan will be able to play at the same level on the other side.

But it would be the same issue having Jenkins start at right guard. The majority of his work has come on the left side of the line, whether at guard or tackle. There’s no guarantee Jenkins would perform any better at right guard than he has at right tackle.

This move is all about putting Jenkins in his best position. He would also line up next to David Bakhtiari, who is quickly rediscovering his dominant form at tackle.

According to Pro Football Focus, Bakhtiari earned the highest pass-blocking grade among tackles in Week 6.

With Bakhtiari and Jenkins back together, the Packers would have a rock-solid left side of the offensive line.

In second-year Josh Myers, the Packers have a solid starting center. According to ESPN, he ranks seventh among centers in pass block win rate this season.

From left tackle to center, the Packers would be in good shape.

The concern is that it would leave some uncertainty at the two positions on the right side.

Runyan has been a reliable starting guard for the Packers on the left, but he hasn’t spent much time on the right. The same goes for tackle Yosh Nijman, who has proven he is a capable starting left tackle, but lacks experience on the other side.

If all goes to plan and they can make the adjustment, the Packers’ offensive line would be in excellent shape with a starting five of Bakhtiari, Jenkins, Myers, Runyan, and Nijman.

If Runyan struggles on the right side, perhaps then a conversation could be had about moving Jenkins to right guard. Or maybe rookie Zach Tom gets an opportunity.

But, for now, LaFleur needs to focus on getting his best starting five on the field. That doesn’t include Royce Newman but should feature Yosh Nijman.

Elgton Jenkins went to the Pro Bowl at left guard two years ago. Move him back to his most comfortable position and build from there.