Not every Green Bay Packers fan was thrilled when, with the 54th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the team selected an athletically gifted but raw offensive lineman out of North Carolina State by the name of Anthony Belton.
The Packers heaped plenty on his rookie plate, asking him to start seven games as Belton logged nearly 500 snaps. Not unsurprisingly, he struggled to find his footing. Belton is nonetheless Green Bay's projected starting right guard in 2026.
His job security is tenuous at best. That's thanks to Jager Burton, the Packers' fifth-round pick out of Kentucky who wasted no time turning heads in OTAs and minicamp.
Based on what the Packers have seen from Belton, it would not be surprising if Burton, who played center in college, challenged him for a starting spot on the interior. That would be one way to keep the glare of the spotlight on Green Bay's polarizing draft choice from a year ago.
Jager Burton will put pressure on Anthony Belton to prove he is rightful starter
As an interior lineman, Burton could conceivably suit up in Belton's place at guard, but it might be more feasible to let him play center and slide Sean Rhyan over a spot, back to his original position.
While it would require some reshuffling, it wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing. Burton may give the Packers no choice if he continues to look like a draft-day steal and Belton is unable to demonstrate significant growth during the summer.
That's not to count Belton out; his raw potential remains. Thus far, though, his promise has not translated to the pros. PFF graded him in the bottom 10 at his position, out of 81 qualified guards, and while that's not condemning evidence, for the most part it matches the eye test.
Of course, Belton was just a rookie last season, thrust into a role a notch above his pay grade due to injuries. He wasn't supposed to start.
The Packers seemingly backed Belton this offseason by letting Elgton Jenkins and Rasheed Walker leave in free agency and, aside from drafting Burton, making no additions on the offensive line. Even with the expected promotion of Rhyan and Jordan Morgan to full-time starters, that left a starting spot available for Belton.
It's still his to lose, one would think, but that statement feels less certain than ever. While contact football has yet to begin, Burton has done everything possible to insert himself into the conversation as a potential Year 1 starter. However the competition plays out, it's going to put Belton under the microscope.
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