Former first-rounder loses spot to undrafted free agent on Packers depth chart

The Green Bay Packers always seem to find starting offensive linemen on the final day of the draft.

Green Bay selected Rasheed Walker in the seventh round two years ago. Last season, he became the starting left tackle and had an excellent finish to the year. Jon Runyan, a sixth-round choice in 2020, started 50 games for the Packers. Yosh Nijman went undrafted but started 22 games.

Kadeem Telfort could be next.

The Packers signed Telfort as an undrafted free agent in 2023, but he didn't play a snap in his rookie season. Now, his opportunity has arrived.

Kadeem Telfort appears to have overtaken Andre Dillard on Packers depth chart

Zach Tom is the Packers' starting right tackle, but he has barely participated in team drills as he recovers from a torn pec. Green Bay is searching for its swing tackle, and Tom's absence has allowed for competition at right tackle.

Initially, former first-round pick Andre Dillard got the start. However, there has been a shift, with Telfort consistently taking over as the right tackle in the first-team offense.

Per Packer Report's Andy Herman, Telfort took first-team reps again on Wednesday, a clear sign he has moved ahead of Dillard on the depth chart. At this point, Dillard's roster spot could be in jeopardy.

Telfort is 6-foot-7, 322 pounds, with plenty of college starting experience at left tackle. He can play on both sides of the line and has impressed the coaching staff enough to earn first-team reps in Tom's absence.

"He's been a good surprise and he's been just a steady guy," said Packers offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich, via Bill Huber of Sports Illustrated. "He's very football intelligent. He's just one of those guys that I'm excited to just see how he plays and how he keeps developing. We'll see at the end of camp how it all aligns."

Tom will resume starting duties once he's fully healthy, but there's a clear path to the swing tackle job for Telfort. He has spent time at both tackle spots this summer and has outperformed Dillard enough to earn consistent starting snaps.

There's still a long way to go this summer—the preseason hasn't even started yet—but Telfort has significantly increased his chances of making the 53-man roster in the opening two weeks of training camp.

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