Regular Season Reflections On The Offensive Line (PFF Grades included)

tynimiller

Cheesehead
Joined
May 2, 2012
Messages
13,772
Reaction score
4,801
So with a year like we've seen, sometimes it is nice to look back at a regular season in a position group which seemingly to many has just flat out performed expectations..."maybe".

First lets just break down a few statistics for each of the main OL we've seen this year...in order of snap counts (per Pro Football Reference)

Royce Newman - 1084 snaps with a PFF overall grading of 56.1. 5 Penalties and 6 sacks given up.
Honestly, yes, the grading is in the lower 25% of the league's guards, BUT we are talking about a rookie....a Day 3 rookie at that, which at times has played exceptionally well...and at other times struggled. Had our OL not suffered all the issues it has, the argument is there that Newman would have been part of the incredible depth team right there with Lucas Patrick for the guard spots. However, that is not the world we've lived in this year and all things considered Newman has illustrated this league isn't too big or too fast for him to succeed in. No matter how the future shakes out, I fully expect Newman could be part of the 2022 starting OL group even with a healthy Bakh, Jenkins and Myers back. Overall, Newman from the day of "winning" the guard starting role over Patrick and others as a rookie exceeded my expectations and most likely the majority of those on the board.

Jon Runyan - 1053 snaps with a PFF overall grading of 65.0. 0 penalties and 2 sacks given up.
This might very well be one of my best Day 3 prospects I projected would succeed prior to their selections ever. 6th round on Day 3, Green Bay found what most likely will be a starting guard in Green Bay for at minimum the next two seasons (2022 and 2023) and possibly longer should we sign him to it. Runyan in many ways has been the solid rock of the line. Rarely having a bad game, he either seemed to play solid or awesome games this season. Credited with zero penalties in a passing league with the rushers they see is insane. INSANE. I cannot say Runyan shocked me or surprised me, as I loved him for this role....but for what he was on draft day and being just in year two - he for sure exceeded any realistic expectations one would hold if all you said was a 6th round Day 3 pick of the 2020 draft that saw very limited playing time the previous year...

Lucas Patrick - 911 snaps with a PFF overall grading of 57.6. 5 penalties and 0 sacks given up.
Listed as a guard but a guy many of us christened as our 2021 starting center until Myers was picked...he's been adequate to solid no matter where and when we've needed him. Patrick is a guy that in pass protection may be one of the most overlooked simply because he quietly does it so well. It will be interesting to see what Patrick does in the off season. He already took what some would argue was a team friendly deal for the chance to stay and compete for a role in GB once, will a team see the now nearly 29 year old worth a starting or chance to start offer or will Green Bay convince him to stick around and be our "first reserve" type guy again....either way it has been an immense blessing to have Lucas on this year's team especially with Myers and Jenkins going down, making him really the ONLY Center option (until the signing of Michael Menet to PS).

Billy Turner - 810 snaps with a PFF overall grading of 66.2. 4 penalties and 3 sacks given up.
There were weeks where Billy seemed to be the shining example of consistency in an otherwise inconsistent OL. Turner puts forth one of the best overall grading of any OL this year as well for those seeing half or more of the starts...furthering the thought that his FA acquisition was a home run given the level of consistent play and eventually a home he found at RT. While this most likely is his last ride for Green Bay (given his 2022 salary), I know I pray it is a glorious one where we give him a ring as the ultimate thank you gesture before having to part ways.

Yosh Nijman - 590 snaps with a PFF overall grading of 63.8. 3 penatlies and 3 sacks given up.
Arguably the OLOTY given what one assumed his role would be this year vs what his role actually became. Forced into action at LT at times against some of the premiere rushers in the league, Yosh didn't just survive - he at times flirted with thriving. The premiere example of developing a player over years of time, Yosh being a RFA is for sure facing a more favorable and well deserved salary when we tender him (I bet a second rounder)....or possibly even offer a contract deal to him. This UDFA who is just 26 at the moment, could become the RT or back up LT for this roster for many more years to come.

Elgton Jenkins - 496 snaps with a PFF overall grading of 82.3. 4 penalties and 2 sacks given up.
I've flirted with saying it before...but I'll put it in stone now. Elgton Jenkins is our best offensive lineman on our roster. What this man does is play at Pro Bowl level at Tackle, Guard and Center. There is no denying Bakh not being in the starting line HURTS. I'd argue Jenkins' loss however should have CRIPPLED this already hurt line, because he is just that DAMN good. Be VERY thankful Green Bay that his rookie contract is still going in 2022...because he is one of arguably very few guys I don't think Gute and CO. can afford to watch walk out the door - no matter if we have Rodgers or Love or another under center. Elgton Jenkins is that damn good, PERIOD...all this is assuming he comes back in 2022 and illustrates he is not close to be done and is 100% GTG again.

Dennis Kelly - 305 snaps with a PFF overall grading of 69.5. 2 penalties and 2 sacks given up.
When we signed Kelly, part of me actually wondered if he'd be given a shot at maybe making Turner tradeable or expendable...I didn't share this thought, but I thought it....however absurd it sounded. I would have never bet on that he'd be as good as he has been for us, but man I would have wanted to. I loved watching some of Kelly's games when he was with the Titans, his size and apparent abilities jumped at me as a guy that just had age against him at this point. Nearly 32 at the moment, Kelly is closer to the 18th hole of his career than the 12th even...BUT, he is PRECISELY the type of signing that good GMs make. The kind of guy that you know when the bell is tolled on him, he will answer the call and you're pretty freaking confident of where the floor of performance is with him. The ability to be sitting here not having to force Turner back before he's ready is a MASSIVE blessing...and Kelly could potentially play a factor in the playoffs also.

Josh Myers - 293 snaps with a PFF overall grading of 58.3. 0 penalties and 0 sacks given up.
Josh Myers out the gate looked the part, in the TERRIBLE Saints game I remember he shined and was our 5th highest rated player that game at 71.9. It was tragic to see his injury steal much of his rookie year, but now with essentially half a game in Week 18 it appears Myers is set and healthy to hit the playoffs running again. When Linsley was leaving I was sad, but remember even thinking Patrick will be just fine, then when we drafted my second favorite center - I had zero worry about the middle of our OL...and I don't think we will for years to come.

David Bakhtiari - 27 snaps with a PFF overall grading of 75.2. 0 and 0.
Barely played but played well. We already know all we need about Bakhtiari. If healthy he is our best pure LT on the team and easily a top 5 without blinking LT in the league.

Others that had less than 10 snaps, Jake Hanson, Ben Braden, Cole Van Lanen.

It has been said numerous times in numerous ways, but in the end all the immense adversity and injuries this OL as a group saw - ultimately made our entire OL room that much better. No longer do we wonder what Yosh is capable of, we know it. No longer do we wonder if Newman can handle the leagues' speed and strength we know it. No longer do we wonder what exactly Kelly could do still having no team sign him for the longest time in FA...we know now.


For those curious the 2022 OL Room from what we have looks like this:

Guys that for sure will be back
Elgton Jenkins enters final year ($2,158,106 hit)
Jon Runyan enters his third of four year rookie deal ($938,669 hit)
Josh Myers enters his 2nd of four year rookie deal ($1,268,213 hit)
Royce Newman enters his 2nd of four year rookie deal ($949,836 hit)
David Bakhtiari enters his third of five year deal ($22,768,000 hit)
Yosh enters RFA, so we could tender him (2nd round tender cost would be $3,986,000)


Most likely not back, or at least not back at the present contract level:
Billy Turner enters his final year ($8,918,308 hit) *he most assuredly will be cut or contract re-worked, no way this stays same.

No longer contracted we would lose:
Lucas Patrick
Dennis Kelly
Michael Menet
Jake Hanson
Ben Braden
Cole Van Lanen
Adrian Ealy
 
Last edited:

Poppa San

* Team Owner *
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Aug 29, 2010
Messages
12,821
Reaction score
2,735
Location
20 miles from Lambeau
So with a year like we've seen, sometimes it is nice to look back at a regular season in a position group which seemingly to many has just flat out performed expectations..."maybe".

First lets just break down a few statistics for each of the main OL we've seen this year...in order of snap counts (per Pro Football Reference)

Royce Newman - 1084 snaps with a PFF overall grading of 56.1. 5 Penalties and 6 sacks given up.
Honestly, yes, the grading is in the lower 25% of the league's guards, BUT we are talking about a rookie....a Day 2 rookie at that, which at times has played exceptionally well...and at other times struggled. Had our OL not suffered all the issues it has, the argument is there that Newman would have been part of the incredible depth team right there with Lucas Patrick for the guard spots. However, that is not the world we've lived in this year and all things considered Newman has illustrated this league isn't too big or too fast for him to succeed in. No matter how the future shakes out, I fully expect Newman could be part of the 2022 starting OL group even with a healthy Bakh, Jenkins and Myers back. Overall, Newman from the day of "winning" the guard starting role over Patrick and others as a rookie exceeded my expectations and most likely the majority of those on the board.

Jon Runyan - 1053 snaps with a PFF overall grading of 65.0. 0 penalties and 2 sacks given up.
This might very well be one of my best Day 3 prospects I projected would succeed prior to their selections ever. 6th round on Day 3, Green Bay found what most likely will be a starting guard in Green Bay for at minimum the next two seasons (2022 and 2023) and possibly longer should we sign him to it. Runyan in many ways has been the solid rock of the line. Rarely having a bad game, he either seemed to play solid or awesome games this season. Credited with zero penalties in a passing league with the rushers they see is insane. INSANE. I cannot say Runyan shocked me or surprised me, as I loved him for this role....but for what he was on draft day and being just in year two - he for sure exceeded any realistic expectations one would hold if all you said was a 6th round Day 3 pick of the 2020 draft that saw very limited playing time the previous year...

Lucas Patrick - 911 snaps with a PFF overall grading of 57.6. 5 penalties and 0 sacks given up.
Listed as a guard but a guy many of us christened as our 2021 starting center until Myers was picked...he's been adequate to solid no matter where and when we've needed him. Patrick is a guy that in pass protection may be one of the most overlooked simply because he quietly does it so well. It will be interesting to see what Patrick does in the off season. He already took what some would argue was a team friendly deal for the chance to stay and compete for a role in GB once, will a team see the now nearly 29 year old worth a starting or chance to start offer or will Green Bay convince him to stick around and be our "first reserve" type guy again....either way it has been an immense blessing to have Lucas on this year's team especially with Myers and Jenkins going down, making him really the ONLY Center option (until the signing of Michael Menet to PS).

Billy Turner - 810 snaps with a PFF overall grading of 66.2. 4 penalties and 3 sacks given up.
There were weeks where Billy seemed to be the shining example of consistency in an otherwise inconsistent OL. Turner puts forth one of the best overall grading of any OL this year as well for those seeing half or more of the starts...furthering the thought that his FA acquisition was a home run given the level of consistent play and eventually a home he found at RT. While this most likely is his last ride for Green Bay (given his 2022 salary), I know I pray it is a glorious one where we give him a ring as the ultimate thank you gesture before having to part ways.

Yosh Nijman - 590 snaps with a PFF overall grading of 63.8. 3 penatlies and 3 sacks given up.
Arguably the OLOTY given what one assumed his role would be this year vs what his role actually became. Forced into action at LT at times against some of the premiere rushers in the league, Yosh didn't just survive - he at times flirted with thriving. The premiere example of developing a player over years of time, Yosh being a RFA is for sure facing a more favorable and well deserved salary when we tender him (I bet a second rounder)....or possibly even offer a contract deal to him. This UDFA who is just 26 at the moment, could become the RT or back up LT for this roster for many more years to come.

Elgton Jenkins - 496 snaps with a PFF overall grading of 82.3. 4 penalties and 2 sacks given up.
I've flirted with saying it before...but I'll put it in stone now. Elgton Jenkins is our best offensive lineman on our roster. What this man does is play at Pro Bowl level at Tackle, Guard and Center. There is no denying Bakh not being in the starting line HURTS. I'd argue Jenkins' loss however should have CRIPPLED this already hurt line, because he is just that DAMN good. Be VERY thankful Green Bay that his rookie contract is still going in 2022...because he is one of arguably very few guys I don't think Gute and CO. can afford to watch walk out the door - no matter if we have Rodgers or Love or another under center. Elgton Jenkins is that damn good, PERIOD...all this is assuming he comes back in 2022 and illustrates he is not close to be done and is 100% GTG again.

Dennis Kelly - 305 snaps with a PFF overall grading of 69.5. 2 penalties and 2 sacks given up.
When we signed Kelly, part of me actually wondered if he'd be given a shot at maybe making Turner tradeable or expendable...I didn't share this thought, but I thought it....however absurd it sounded. I would have never bet on that he'd be as good as he has been for us, but man I would have wanted to. I loved watching some of Kelly's games when he was with the Titans, his size and apparent abilities jumped at me as a guy that just had age against him at this point. Nearly 32 at the moment, Kelly is closer to the 18th hole of his career than the 12th even...BUT, he is PRECISELY the type of signing that good GMs make. The kind of guy that you know when the bell is tolled on him, he will answer the call and you're pretty freaking confident of where the floor of performance is with him. The ability to be sitting here not having to force Turner back before he's ready is a MASSIVE blessing...and Kelly could potentially.

Josh Myers - 293 snaps with a PFF overall grading of 58.3. 0 penalties and 0 sacks given up.
Josh Myers out the gate looked the part, in the TERRIBLE Saints game I remember he shined and was our 5th highest rated player that game at 71.9. It was tragic to see his injury steal much of his rookie year, but now with essentially half a game in Week 18 it appears Myers is set and healthy to hit the playoffs running again. When Linsley was leaving I was sad, but remember even thinking Linsley will be just fine, then when we drafted my second favorite center - I had zero worry about the middle of our OL...and I don't think we will for years to come.

David Bakhtiari - 27 snaps with a PFF overall grading of 75.2. 0 and 0.
Barely played but played well. We already know all we need about Bakhtiari. If healthy he is our best pure LT on the team and easily a top 5 without blinking LT in the league.

Others that had less than 10 snaps, Jake Hanson, Ben Braden, Cole Van Lanen.

It has been said numerous times in numerous ways, but in the end all the immense adversity and injuries this OL as a group saw - ultimately made our entire OL room that much better. No longer do we wonder what Yosh is capable of, we know it. No longer do we wonder if Newman can handle the leagues' speed and strength we know it. No longer do we wonder what exactly Kelly could do still having no team sign him for the longest time in FA...we know now.


For those curious the 2022 OL Room from what we have looks like this:

Guys that for sure will be back
Elgton Jenkins enters final year ($2,158,106 hit)
Billy Turner enters his final year ($8,918,308 hit) *he most assuredly will be cut or contract re-worked, no way this stays same.
Jon Runyan enters his third of four year rookie deal ($938,669 hit)
Josh Myers enters his 2nd of four year rookie deal ($1,268,213 hit)
Royce Newman enters his 2nd of four year rookie deal ($949,836 hit)
David Bakhtiari enters his third of five year deal ($22,768,000 hit)
Yosh enters RFA, so we could tender him (2nd round tender cost would be $3,986,000)


Most likely not back, or at least not back at the present contract level:
Billy Turner enters his final year ($8,918,308 hit) *he most assuredly will be cut or contract re-worked, no way this stays same.

No longer contracted we would lose:
Lucas Patrick
Dennis Kelly
Michael Menet
Jake Hanson
Ben Braden
Cole Van Lanen
Adrian Ealy
Excellent and well researched post. I almost feel honored to find a nit to pick in it.
Royce Newman was a fourth round pick which should be considered day 3, not day 2.
 
OP
OP
tynimiller

tynimiller

Cheesehead
Joined
May 2, 2012
Messages
13,772
Reaction score
4,801
Excellent and well researched post. I almost feel honored to find a nit to pick in it.
Royce Newman was a fourth round pick which should be considered day 3, not day 2.

I did mess that up! Good catch!
 

JKramer64

Cheesehead
Joined
Sep 4, 2014
Messages
189
Reaction score
158
Jenkins is THAT good. I hope his absence isn't fatal as Bakhtiari's was last year. He's the best run blocker and they could sure use him against Donald and Vita Vea. The good thing is the play of Runyan. He has really improved as the season has gone on and held his own for the most part. Not a huge dropoff from Jenkins.
 
D

Deleted member 6794

Guest
Don't get me wrong, the offensive line has performed above expectations considering the injuries the unit has suffered.

But I'm absolutely convinced Rodgers has made up for a ton of shortcomings on the line. The grades seem to support that point of view.

There's no way they look as good as they have with Love starting.
 
OP
OP
tynimiller

tynimiller

Cheesehead
Joined
May 2, 2012
Messages
13,772
Reaction score
4,801
Don't get me wrong, the offensive line has performed above expectations considering the injuries the unit has suffered.

But I'm absolutely convinced Rodgers has made up for a ton of shortcomings on the line. The grades seem to support that point of view.

There's no way they look as good as they have with Love starting.

Oh for sure, the grades are good for Myers, Newman and Runyan given the lack of experience - but when they're in their third year or so they better be upper 60s to mid 70s IMO. It is not an easy thing to PFF grade out higher than 80 for anyone, which is why Jenkins is flat impressive.
 

Team Ronny

Cheesehead
Joined
Nov 29, 2020
Messages
951
Reaction score
466
I still cannot for the life of me understand why you can't have your backup center be your long snapper. Can't be that hard. At least you wouldn't have a 250# guy as your center on special teams.
 
OP
OP
tynimiller

tynimiller

Cheesehead
Joined
May 2, 2012
Messages
13,772
Reaction score
4,801
Another interesting combination.
I like this one the best thus far.

Honestly if Bakh and Jenkins both are out I 100% felt like our RT or RG was going to be a rookie without question. If you told me that happens I personally would give odds to the tackle option being Tom (or Walker) and the guard being Rhyan
 
Joined
Aug 16, 2014
Messages
14,262
Reaction score
5,661
Honestly if Bakh and Jenkins both are out I 100% felt like our RT or RG was going to be a rookie without question. If you told me that happens I personally would give odds to the tackle option being Tom (or Walker) and the guard being Rhyan
Yeah. It seems to me Rhyan would really make a good Guard. Pre-draft he was said to have some Pass protect deficiencies, with one being shorter arms and pedestrian arm extension, which are obviously important traits at Tackle. A common theme for Rhyan was that he seemed to be just deemed adequate as a backup Tackle. His real strength is Run blocking, pulling and driving and those are perfect qualities for Run blocking.

IDK. Maybe they don’t want to try too many Rookies at once? Which is understandable. However I think Rhyan could be better than Newman at RG. It’s not a slight on Royce, some analysts saw Rhyan as one of the top run blockers in this draft.

Nij-Runyon-Meyers-Rhyan-Tom

Best case

Bak-Jenkins-Meyers-Rhyan-Nij
(Hold Newman as our primary guard backup, Nijman primary LT backup, Tom primary RT backup)
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
tynimiller

tynimiller

Cheesehead
Joined
May 2, 2012
Messages
13,772
Reaction score
4,801
Yeah. It seems to me Rhyan would really make a good Guard. Pre-draft he was said to have some Pass protect deficiencies, with one being shorter arms and pedestrian arm extension, which are obviously important traits at Tackle. A common theme for Rhyan was that he seemed to be just deemed adequate as a backup Tackle. His real strength is Run blocking, pulling and driving and those are perfect qualities for Run blocking.

IDK. Maybe they don’t want to try too many Rookies at once? Which is understandable. However I think Rhyan could be better than Newman at RG. It’s not a slight on Royce, some analysts saw Rhyan as one of the top run blockers in this draft.

Nij-Runyon-Meyers-Rhyan-Tom

Obviously , whichever of Jenkins or Bak that can get on the field first would be LT. Then Nij at RT.

Imagine if that is how it washes out or even if you put Newman back in there....folks that is a VERY cheap and yet I bet good OL contract wise.
 
D

Deleted member 6794

Guest
Honestly if Bakh and Jenkins both are out I 100% felt like our RT or RG was going to be a rookie without question. If you told me that happens I personally would give odds to the tackle option being Tom (or Walker) and the guard being Rhyan

In my opinion Newman is a better option at right guard than Rhyan. It seems the coaching staff agrees with me at this point.

Nij-Runyon-Meyers-Rhyan-Tom

That unit wouldn't instill a lot of confidence, especially considering the potential lack of talent at receiver and tight end.

Bak-Jenkins-Meyers-Rhyan-Nij
(Hold Newman as our primary guard backup, Nijman primary LT backup, Tom primary RT backup)

As mentioned above Newman currently seems to be a better option than Rhyan.
 
Joined
Aug 16, 2014
Messages
14,262
Reaction score
5,661
:eek:My bad, I thought you said that both the right guard and tackle would be a rookie. Misread your previous post.
That was me that wanted that :coffee:

Seriously though. Part of the equation is going to be cautioning on having too many Rookies protecting Rodgers. Even if one of the new guys is “long-term” better, they will likely go with experience in a close tiebreaker.

I was not at all impressed with Newman at RG. Obviously he was a Green Pea, so we should factor into the equation that you’d expect some growth year 2 from Newman.

Also thought it interesting that one grouping used thus far had Newman at RT. You talk about being scared, THAT scares the heck out of me.
I woke up in a dream last night seeing that guy “Newman” from The TV show Seinfeld playing at our RT spot. This is Newman stealing a kids bike in GB before practice :eek:
You must be logged in to see this image or video!
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
tynimiller

tynimiller

Cheesehead
Joined
May 2, 2012
Messages
13,772
Reaction score
4,801
Here's the absolutely crazy part of it all when it comes to our OL, we presently have only two guys with more than two years of playing experience in the NFL and Yosh who has been here three but two years of actual active roster time.

Yes, having Aaron and some of the skill position guys around them (Big Dawg) help but this is incredible really if you think about it.

Newman was rough at times, but was a rookie - expect growth...Myers was a solid center as a rookie...wait till we see if he grows...Runyan started showing at times flashes....now mix in IMO two rookies that are better than Runyan or Newman were when drafted in Tom and Rhyan and it is exciting to see the projection of this group.
 

Sanguine camper

Cheesehead
Joined
Jan 14, 2014
Messages
1,891
Reaction score
558
Newman has 16 starts, Josh has 8, Myers has 6 and Runyan may have 17 and a roomie will probably join them. That has to be the most inexperienced o line in the league in total starts if Bahktiari is out.
 
D

Deleted member 6794

Guest
If Bakhtiari isn't able to play in week 1 I won't feel confident about the offensive line. It doesn't matter which combination they end up using.
 

Sunshinepacker

Cheesehead
Joined
Jul 29, 2013
Messages
5,766
Reaction score
896
Receivers are also going to have an impact on the oline; if they're taking significantly longer to get open, then the oline is having to block longer...not ideal.
 

Members online

Latest posts

Top