The Green Bay Packers prioritize building their offensive line as much as any team in the sport. They routinely dedicate multiple draft picks each year to that spot, with 2026 being a rarity that saw them only spend one selection on Kentucky fifth-rounder Jager Burton.
Although the rookie isn't likely to challenge for a starting spot given the multi-year commitments to Aaron Banks and Sean Rhyan at left guard and center, maybe there is room for Burton down the road.
Or at least that's what some rankings released by ESPN's Mike Clay would have you believe.
Packers' fluctuating offensive line lands them at 27th in data-driven power rankings
Banks was a prized free agent last offseason who didn't really live up to the hype. Green Bay drafted Anthony Belton in the second round of the 2025 draft and converted him from tackle to right guard. Rhyan has been a jack of all trades, master of none on the interior O-line.
Oh, and projected starting left tackle Jordan Morgan will finally move back to his college position after bouncing around to four different positions last season.
Right tackle Zach Tom is the only real stabilizing force on the Packers' offensive line. Hence perhaps why Clay's rankings, which feature aggregate player evaluations from PFF grades, block win rate, and other measures, hold Green Bay in such low esteem:
Current 2026 NFL Offensive Line projected starters: pic.twitter.com/oGq7k4anGY
— Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) May 12, 2026
Tom is easily the highest-rated Cheesehead blocker. His aggregate total of 7.6 rivals that of Penei Sewell (7.7), which seems ridiculous but kind of makes sense since Sewell is converting from right to left tackle.
Otherwise, it's looking pretty bleak for the Pack. Nobody even reaches the 5.0 threshold. That's the mark for Steelers first-round rookie Max Iheanachor, who hasn't played a single NFL down, isn't guaranteed to start for Pittsburgh, and didn't start playing football until after high school.
It seems extreme to project the Packers as a bottom-six offensive line. Their standard of play is often well above that status. Then again, if we go off PFF grades alone, they weren't well-regarded in 2025, ranking 25th in pass blocking and 20th in run blocking.
Will there be a drop-off from Rasheed Walker to Morgan at left tackle? Can Rhyan handle full-time center duties? Is Belton ready to take a Year 2 leap after an uneven rookie campaign? Will Banks pull through, or will Green Bay have buyer's remorse when he's a $25.4 million cap hit in 2027?
There are more questions without clear answers about this group than meets the eye, or than the Packers' sterling reputation for offensive line play would suggest.
The good news? Feature back Josh Jacobs is as tough as they come as far as creating yards after contact. Jordan Love is a cerebral quarterback who can keep the offense on schedule and in the right plays. Head coach Matt LaFleur is a proven play-caller whose scheme can elevate or mask any potential issues up front.
But yeah, there are some concerns to be had here. Matthew Golden stepping up as a viable, consistent wideout to complement Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, and Tucker Kraft would go a long way to help the big men in the trenches. Those latter three have discouraging injury histories, though, so that's yet another red flag.
Maybe the O-line is a bigger concern than Packers fans realize. At least they have some other elements, and a defense eventually led by Micah Parsons, to make up for it.
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