The Green Bay Packers have invested plenty into protecting Jordan Love over the past two seasons. One year after selecting offensive tackle Jordan Morgan in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, they doubled down on the position -- adding Anthony Belton in the second round this past spring.
Additionally, the Packers signed starting right tackle Zach Tom to a four-year, $88 million contract extension that includes $30.2 million in guaranteed money this offseason. While their big-money starter will retain his right tackle role, there is currently a battle for the opportunity to protect Love's blindside as the franchise expects him to take the next step into elite status.
Despite investing premier picks into the position in back-to-back drafts, neither offensive tackle is predicted to start. Rasheed Walker remains the likely frontrunner to retain his starting role for the third consecutive year.
Rasheed Walker projected to win Packers training camp battle, protect Jordan Love's blindside
Moe Moton of Bleacher Report labeled the left tackle uncertainty as the Packers' most important remaining positional battle while predicting that Walker remains the starter.
"Over the last two years, Walker has been a solid pass-blocking tackle. According to Pro Football Focus, he only allowed three sacks while on the field for 562 pass-blocking snaps last season," Moton writes. "Walker has done enough to retain his starting job unless Morgan looks like the next coming of David Bakhtiari in Green Bay."
Walker has started 32 games over the past two seasons after taking over for five-time All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari following a season-ending injury in 2023. The former seventh-round pick does not have the same draft pedigree as Morgan or even Belton, but he may be in line to retain his starting role.
Despite being a seventh-round pick, Walker has made the most of his opportunity. He has been among the pass blockers in the league, as his 79.6 PFF pass-blocking grade ranked 21st out of 140 offensive tackles last season.
Meanwhile, Morgan's 61.5 PFF pass-blocking grade ranked just 73rd out of 136 offensive guards. He appeared in just six games due to injury.
While the Packers would certainly like their 2024 first-rounder to claim a starting role, protecting Love's blindside will be of the utmost importance. Walker has already proven his ability to get the job done and has the clear inside track to remaining the starting left tackle.