Cory's Corner: Move Zach Tom To The Best OL Position
Zach Tom is the Packers best offensive lineman. It's time to move him to left tackle.
It’s a good thing the Packers value versatility on the offensive line.
Center Josh Myers is headed to the Jets. Remember when the Packers flirted with Zach Tom to play center in camp last summer?
Let’s put that rumor to bed right now. Tom is easily the best offensive lineman on the roster, which means it’s time to move him to the most valuable offensive line position.
It’s time to move Tom to left tackle.
Rasheed Walker has been OK, but if you want someone blocking your blind side, it has to be Tom. Elgton Jenkins will slide over to center, where he started 26 games at Mississippi State.
And if anyone is still unsure about Tom, the 2022 fourth round pick is ranked No. 15 among all offensive linemen according to Pro Football Focus. He only allowed 22 hurries this year and he was the best run blocker on the Packers by a wide margin.
With Jenkins at center and Tom left tackle, the offensive line will take shape and Jordan Love will know what to expect from his big fellas up front.
It will also allow Packers coach Matt LaFleur to utilize more stretch running plays. Josh Jacobs will always be the tank that opts to run through defenders but MarShawn Lloyd or Jayden Reed are dynamic, quick ball carriers that can quickly change direction. The Packers also may add a quick rookie running back to this mix as well, seeing as how this draft is one of the deepest running back classes in a long time.
That’s why the Packers need their best pass rusher on the edge. In order for play-action or run-pass-option plays to work effectively, you need to be confident on the edge. The Packers were OK on the edge last year, but pressure from the edge forced Love out of the pocket and he often made throws he didn’t want to make.
The Packers invested in Love by making him one of the highest paid players in the league. Now they need to keep reinvesting in him by keeping him upright.
Anytime talk is centered on the offensive line, most people tune out. Look at the Bears. They will make a dramatic turnaround from last year just because they signed three offensive linemen that can come in and play right away.
Tom has been the Packers best offensive lineman since 2023. It’s time to put him in the best offensive line position.
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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn
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Comments (50)
GregC
March 15, 2025 at 07:30 am
This is not a bad idea. I like the thought of Tom spending the rest of his career protecting our QB's blind side, like David Bakhtiari did for so many years. It will be very interesting to see where all these guys are playing in the OTAs and training camp. There are many possible configurations. One thing for sure is that none of those configurations should include Zach Tom at center. Cory is right about that.
I'm not sure what any of this has to do with stretch running plays, though. As long as Tom is at tackle, he will be just as valuable as a run blocker on either side, won't he?
Guam
March 15, 2025 at 08:08 am
This may not be a bad idea, but I am not sure it is a good idea either. Cory predicates this move on Tom's ability to protect Love's blindside. Walker gave up three sacks last year, Tom gave up three sacks last year. Walker's PFF grade for pass blocking was 79.6, Tom's was 82.1. The pass blocking difference is minimal.
Is Tom a better tackle than Walker - yes, but the big difference is in run blocking. Walker's PFF grade for run blocking was 54.1. Tom's run blocking grade was 90.0. So let's move our great run blocking right tackle to left tackle to better protect Love's blind side.
The logic escapes me.........
dobber
March 15, 2025 at 09:00 am
I'll be curious to see how the run game evolves, assuming Banks at LG and Jenkins at C. Banks--at least according to reports--isn't quite the fluid mover and is more mauler than the Packers have coveted at G in the past. I don't think it's a given that Rhyan (who looks more like Banks) gets displaced by Morgan at RG, either, but with Rhyan's contract coming up, I'd like to see some longer-term chemistry develop in there.
Bitternotsour
March 15, 2025 at 09:19 am
God almighty, Morgan was a first round choice, he damn sure should be the left tackle.
I'm not sure what the cap implications are, but Jenkins is earning an awful lot of money as a guard/center.
Guam
March 15, 2025 at 10:03 am
There are lots of first round draft choices playing guard and center in the NFL. Why not Morgan if the Packer's current left tackle is decent?
Leatherhead
March 15, 2025 at 05:48 pm
Yes, but not for long, necessarily. He's a $17.6M hit on our cap this year, and a $25M hit next year. Then he's a FA. He'll be 32. If you wanted to free up money to sign Tom, you'd trade Jenkins after this next season and save $18M.
Given that you sign guys to 4 year deals, and given that you have over 8 , you kind of have to plan on adding two guys and subtracting two guys every year, and occasionally, giving one of them a second contract.
jannesbjornson
March 15, 2025 at 09:21 am
Less wide-zone and more phone booth, power gap stuff coming for Jacobs. Move Walker to the RG spot and put your One pick at the position he played since high school. This episodic tragedy of musical linemen led to a couple of epic failures in the super bowl hunt. Love is a pocket passer, see if Stenovich can protect him?
Coldworld
March 15, 2025 at 09:40 am
Banks is a surprisingly fluid mover, even more so for his size. If he has issues it’s more with technique, particularly hands.
Bitternotsour
March 15, 2025 at 10:02 am
he played for the best coached running team in football. the shanahans are nothing if not running game geniuses.
jannesbjornson
March 15, 2025 at 01:33 pm
Cannot high/low, or cut-block any longer as per League Rules. Shanahan has his All-PRO Fullback to inflict damage turning the corner for the RBs.
LLCHESTY
March 15, 2025 at 03:37 pm
You mean the All-Pro FB that got cut this week.
jannesbjornson
March 15, 2025 at 05:56 pm
And re-signed a couple days later, for some cap accounting.
LLCHESTY
March 15, 2025 at 05:05 pm
I'm not against the idea of swapping Ts and it puts two formidable run blockers together but it would also put two weaker run blockers together and you don't want your two weaker linemen next to each other.
Guam
March 15, 2025 at 09:41 am
I have long believed that Morgan was drafted with 2026 in mind (with Tom, Walker and Rhyan all coming up for their second contract). Where Morgan plays this year will be interesting. Like you I am sure the Packers want him to play and gain experience, but who sits? Walker is a decent LT and Rhyan an adequate RG. One of the many questions to be resolved in TC.
LLCHESTY
March 15, 2025 at 05:21 pm
Hopefully they've made a decision on where Morgan's future lies. If he's staying inside T has to be the 1st O lineman taken, if they're moving him outside a G/C needs to be 1st. Either way one of each is probably on the menu.
Leatherhead
March 15, 2025 at 07:21 pm
Who sits? The guy that is hurt. Or maybe this will be one of those rare years when none of our starting Olinemen miss any time. Probably not.
The minimum disruption from last year's unit would be for Morgan to be our swing tackle, getting practice reps at both tackle spots. Walker-Banks-Jenkins-Rhyan-Tom. Until somebody gets hurt.
I agree that 2026 was in the thinking when we drafted Morgan. Tom, Walker, and Rhyan... will all be FAs. If we could sign Tom, and replace Walker with Morgan, that would go a long way towards setting up the line. That way Morgan gets to start at LT his third season so we can see if we want to exercise the 5th year option.
GregC
March 15, 2025 at 12:16 pm
One reason I think Cory's idea has merit is that Tom is likely to get a big contract soon, which could very well mean that the Packers don't have enough money to keep Walker around. If Tom, Jenkins, and Banks are all earning big money, can the team afford a fourth big money contract for an O-lineman? I'm thinking probably not.
stockholder
March 15, 2025 at 07:33 am
Until Walker gets injured.
No one should take his job.
Morgan must improve.
And I get you think Tom can be moved.
But if you remember how many
guys tried their hand at RT.
Keep Tom at RT.
jannesbjornson
March 15, 2025 at 09:28 am
He may end up putting Love on IR for the year. Walker is not a LT to advance this team forward. He couldn't move the pocket for Love vs Philly, Game One when Love rolled left to buy time and ended up in a quagmire of big bodies, rolling his knee. He was Lucky he didn't miss the Season. Mobility.
stockholder
March 15, 2025 at 11:18 am
I get your Love for Morgan.
But that same thing could happen with Morgan.
TT went through all this until he found Bahk.
And then when Spriggs was drafted.
They stuck with what they had. Bahk.
Stick with Walker until we can't.
jannesbjornson
March 15, 2025 at 01:31 pm
Morgan's profile was very similar to Bhak's coming into the League. When Dbl trouble (stacked edge) comes Walker's way, he cannot adjust fast enough. Too much help needed for this group by TEs and RBs. Get your weapons into the attack, not retreating.
HarryHodag
March 15, 2025 at 07:34 am
1)Why the diss on Rasheed Walker? Has he failed? No. He's likely to get a nice contract next year, either in Green Bay or elsewhere.
2) This argument, moving Tom to the left side, is along the line of the failed belief that' if a little is good a lot will be better'. In an attempt to 'strengthen' things you actually make it worse by changing the dynamic. Who is to say the guy on the right side will be as good at Tom? Love can get hit hard by either side(and the middle too).
3) The Packers have enough to deal with. Punching yourself in the eye with this move will only add to a series of problems, like edge rusher, defensive tackle and cornerback, #1 wide receiver, just to name a few.
Lest we forget, this team lost twice to the Eagles, Lions, Vikings and were a blocked kick away from losing to the Bears twice. This move you suggest won't help change the fact the Packers are still behind in the race for the Super Bowl.
PhantomII
March 16, 2025 at 05:39 pm
Tom is the #6 RT in the NFL. He would probably be top 10 LT in NFL. People who excel like Tom has are usually only limited by those who make decisions....and in GB OL..usually poor ones. This is about CAP room in 1 year. Someone needs to compete at LT cause GB can't pay 2 OT's next season and our LT is nowhere near BAK good.
TKWorldWide
March 15, 2025 at 07:39 am
In paragraph 9, did you mean “need their best pass PROTECTOR” on the edge?
dobber
March 15, 2025 at 07:53 am
Shhh. He's on a roll.
TKWorldWide
March 15, 2025 at 07:59 am
I just hate to see the Germans get unfairly disparaged like that. 😉
LeotisHarris
March 15, 2025 at 09:42 pm
I know the bombing of Pearl Harbor had many of us on EDGE.
TKWorldWide
March 16, 2025 at 05:48 pm
Aaaand…..full circle!
Coldworld
March 15, 2025 at 07:51 am
In theory your best T is at LT. However, that may not be the best 5, particularly when the run game is considered. The upside of moving Tom may be outweighed by the downside of moving Walker to right or starting Morgan at RT. Neither of those have shown as much in the run game as Tom does. That’s a consideration that needs not to be lost. What we should aim for is the best available combination of 5 overall. That’s what I want to see us figure out and implement.
LambeauPlain
March 15, 2025 at 07:52 am
I would not disagree if the subject is ONLY about Zack playing LT. It isn't.
Makes little sense to move Tom if the RT exposure creates a greater overall problem for the OL as a unit.
More than a few knowledgeable NFL analysts & scouts believe Tom would be an All Pro Center...would moving him there make the overall line better? He would be a great companion blocker for both his guards. Would he play better than his RT play now, or even at LT?
My expectation is move #1 will be Jenks at center, Banks at LG, and see who wins RG between Morgan & Rhyan...or LT between Walker and Morgan.
I will not be surprised if an OL prospect is also drafted in the first two days...possible that young man seizes a position. Tom and Morgan were both on their way to a starting spot as rookies. I thought Morgan was going to beat out Rhyan until his shoulder failed.
LaFleur, Stenovich and Butkus have many combinations to discuss, evaluate and practice during Camp. We will see. If I know anything about LaFleur, he's very status quo.
TKWorldWide
March 15, 2025 at 08:02 am
I see it the exact same way as you do.
Not sure if that’s good news or bad news. 🤔
dobber
March 15, 2025 at 08:03 am
I think you hit most if not all the points I would talk about. Well thought out and reasonable, LP.
Guam
March 15, 2025 at 08:27 am
Excellent post LP. The only point I would add is that cohesion and stability are often important factors in successful O-line play. With the departure of Myers, the addition of Banks and the return of Morgan, there will already be change on the O-line. Does it really make sense to shift Tom to LT at the same time?
LambeauPlain
March 15, 2025 at 08:44 am
Yes...the OL is the most important "group" executing plays in concert.
I learned to appreciate OL play watching Lombardi's men execute the Packer Sweep as a boy. They were so cohesive and crisp and on target...even when every D player knew it was coming...up the field they ran. Amazing football ballet!
Guam
March 15, 2025 at 09:36 am
I think we're about the same age LP. I also grew up watching a Packer O-line filled with all-pros execute the Packer Sweep to perfection. Beautiful to watch. Also played RG on my high school football team and we ran the Packer Sweep too - but not remotely as well....:)
Coldworld
March 15, 2025 at 08:34 am
Stenovich’s history, at least with Butkus since his promotion, doesn’t give me confidence that they are the men to determine the best combination. The Hanson, Newman experience, the preference of them over Tom in his first year at T and C and the absolute refusal to allow a challenge Myers, coupled with the handling of Nijman and almost unique preference for platooning are worrying. The lack of preparation for and handling of depth in the playoffs only adds to that concern.
nagawicka
March 15, 2025 at 08:35 am
Good one. Not happening. CheeseheadTV been trollin' hard all March. No oldschool Cheesehead thought Gute goes after Metcalf or Adams yet I counted 6 or 7 headlines here in March alone chumming starstruck passersby with pro-signtheoldguy headlines that are never ever gonna happen.
Noting for the record that EVEN THOUGH 1265 *keeps saying* Zach Tom could be an All World Center, that Jenkins could easily be All World at Tackle, the Packers haven't futzed with or tinkered or meddled with the current successful recipe of Walker Jenkins Meyers Rhyan Tom, not really seriously, not even once. Bookend tackles are a nonnegotiable imperative for any team out to win, Walker & Tom both graded out so well that nobody can really complain, and you just don/t throw those guys away.
We need beef, depth and durability. We draft 2 if not 3 OL this year, one early, not to start per se but to ensure @ postseason we're *not* fielding only 2 or 3 of the original 5. Keeping Jordan Love healthy & clearing out lanes for Josh Jacobs isn't optional & means raising the floor of the whole unit. Keystone need to deliver more time to throw & an even more run-at-will juggernaut run-game. Mass and momentum well above opposing Dlines is the only way, guys that grade out real well will only get ya so far, eventually they run into th Erik Williamses and Reggie Whites who not only grade out real well but you try movin' 'em. Last year the OL disintegrated last couple games, it happens, it's a long season.
dobber
March 15, 2025 at 08:52 am
"Walker & Tom both graded out so well that nobody can really complain, and you just don/t throw those guys away."
The Packers are already projecting over the 2026 cap, and that's still needing to pay guys like Tom, Walker, and Rhyan. Tom is a given or--at this point--is presumed to be. There are a couple contracts the Packers can jettison to make space, but you can't sign everyone.
"We need beef, depth and durability. We draft 2 if not 3 OL this year, one early, not to start per se but to ensure @ postseason we're *not* fielding only 2 or 3 of the original 5."
The succession plan has to start taking shape at the draft. They brought in Banks, but with Myers out, that's "gain-a-starter-lose-a-starter" which doesn't move you forward. The line is still 6 deep, with serious questions at swing OT. Suddenly the Packers have 5 guys who can play inside, but Banks is a G-only, and 3 of the others are filling other starting roles (so to use them inside requires juggling spots). The Packers can't be in the spot of the Vikings and Bears where they're regularly buying and trading for starters on the OL because they can't develop or fill with quality starters from within.
nagawicka
March 15, 2025 at 09:36 am
Yeah, the cap is not an obstacle to raising the floor at OLine.
Gute signing Banks underscores that he means what he says. Making solid moves to raise the floor *right now*: Banks is a known quantity on the field, we don't have to guess at or develop. Gute's taking no chances. Since Gute combines free agency signings AND draft picks to minimize risk, he'll be bringing on guys who can step in in 2 or 3 years & perform @samelevel when/IF one of our guys signs elsewhere 2 or 3 years down the line. Both/and. The pattern holds.
Coldworld
March 15, 2025 at 10:02 am
These players are young enough to support back end loading of a 2nd contract that may be renegotiated prior to completion. I don’t take cap mortgaging lightly, but for young, premium position players, it’s well worth it if they are truly good. The fact is it may take a very long time to surpass them more cheaply. Tom is such a player. Walker may yet prove to be if his run play improves. So I don’t share your concern and believe we can and may sensibly retain what we need to at T.
Guam
March 15, 2025 at 10:17 am
Yes, the Packers are projected to be over the 2026 cap, but those projections also include the contracts for Alexander and Clark. Alexander is almost a guaranteed cut and Clark will be too if he doesn't have a much, much better 2025 season. That would free up nearly $40MM in cap space. The Pack should be able to resign Tom and maybe Walker if his play warrants it.
beerandbrats
March 15, 2025 at 08:44 am
Tom might be a better OL than Walker but is he a better LT? For most athletes, it's a significant difference when changing your stance because it affects your strength, balance and movement. It's very different game playing with your right side and foot forward versus playing with your left side/left foot forward.
We've heard that Banks is a pretty good LG when playing next to Trent Williams. However this works out, I hope Banks is just as good playing next to Walker or Tom.
Coldworld
March 15, 2025 at 09:03 am
It’s not just the tackles that impact guard play. Better play at C should help the guards considerably and expand their opportunities to help the tackles in turn. C is the fastest route to the back field. If that is weak or getting moved backwards, it’s a constant concern for the guards in both pass and run game and this draws focus and exposes the tackles more.
beerandbrats
March 15, 2025 at 09:06 am
I agree CW. Monk surprisingly has not been part of the conversation even though he has a full year in the system. Perhaps we need to draft one of those 3 centers available at pick 160 if Monk isn't panning out? I think we are better with Jenkins at C this year but I would also expect to have a new starting center again next year, while Jenkins becomes the swing tackle in his twilight years.
dobber
March 15, 2025 at 09:13 am
Agreed. The net sum of "+ Banks, - Myers" is hard to measure in the off-season, but if Jenkins (or whomever else is the C) ends up being an upgrade over Myers and Banks is a quality starter, the whole line solidifies. You get better when you replace a lesser player with a better player, even if it's not a direct substitution.
Leatherhead
March 15, 2025 at 07:27 pm
We're better at C, probably not as good at LG. Overall, a slight net gain. Last year, our bench was Morgan, Monk, Glover, three rookies. We still have Morgan , Monk, and Glover, but they're not rookies anymore, so you'd have to conclude we have a net gain there as well.
Since'61
March 15, 2025 at 09:22 am
I posted in a thread earlier this week that I believe the Packers should go with Jenkins at LT, Banks at LG, Tom at Center, Morgan or Rhyan at RG and either Morgan or Walker at RT.
IIRC Jenkins did a solid job at LT while Bahktiari was injured. Banks is an LG and can take over for Jenkins. The Packers themselves have noted that Tom can be an HOF Center so why not play him there. The right side needs to be figured out and the answer should be which is the best position for Morgan? Either RG or RT.
I would prefer Morgan at RT so that Walker can be the Packers backup swing Tackle. However RG may be the best position for Morgan in which case Walker would be the RT.
The Packers will need to figure this out by the end of TC at the latest but before preseason games begin so that they can have their best 5 getting as many snaps together as possible prior to the start of the regular season.
Basically we know that Jenkins can be effective at LT. If we have a player who can play a position at an HOF level then that player (Tom) should play that position (Center). Time will tell how the Packers choose to work out their OL. Thanks, Since '61
Bitternotsour
March 15, 2025 at 09:32 am
Tom is going to get paid as a tackle, moving him to center makes zero sense financially. Kicking Jenkins out to tackle makes some sense based on his salary, but not as much sense based on his recent injury history and his soon to be 30-year-old body.
It's been more than a minute since he played tackle though, and my memory of him there was that he was stellar in pass protect, but I can't recall his run blocking at all. My other memory of Jenkins as a tackle was that he was injured playing there (that memory may be faulty). One of the reasons he got such a whopping contract was that he was projected as a future left tackle.
Racingdad
March 15, 2025 at 11:04 am
I would not move Tom as I beleive he’s all pro right where he is and he takes care of that side for many years . Still hoping Morgan can be that at LT also as we have him ( cheap)for four more years , if Morgan proves out we can get some decent draft capitol for Sheed ? Can’t keep them all
Matt
March 16, 2025 at 04:25 pm
The whole speculation is based on assumption that Tom will be as good LT as his is RT. We don't know if it's valid. What is the point of deliberating? Switching sides is not only about changing R for L. Some OLs probably don't see much difference, but for others the change is significant. Let the coaches to this part.