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Green Bay Packers NFL Draft prototype: Offensive line

By Keegan Matheson

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The Green Bay Packers will return their entire starting lineup on offense for the 2015 season, which was solidified by team-friendly deals to both Randall Cobb and Bryan Bulaga. As the NFL Draft looms later this month, offense may not rank high on the Green Bay Packers priorities, but general manager Ted Thompson has drafted an offensive lineman in each of his ten seasons.

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Over the past several weeks, we have looked at Thompson’s tendencies when drafting quarterbacks, running backs, tight ends and wide receivers. The benefit of Thompson’s long tenure in Green Bay is that trends develop, and these can be used to create his prototype at each position.

Thompson has swung the bat many times with offensive linemen, and like any position, he’s had his misses. First round studs like Bryan Bulaga have been matched with first round duds like Derek Sherrod, but it’s in the middle rounds where Thompson truly feels at home. Green Bay’s other four starters along the offensive line, T.J. Lang, Josh Sitton, Corey Linsley and David Bakhtiari, were all found in the fourth round or later.

Offensive line — 18 selections  — 1.8 selected per draft by Thompson

  • 2005:  Junius Coston, Round 5 (143)  —  6’3″, 317 pounds
  • 2005:  Will Whitacker, Round 7 (246)  —  6’5”, 338 pounds
  • 2006:  Daryn Colledge, Round 2 (47)  —  6’4″, 300 pounds
  • 2006:  Jason Spitz, Round 3 (75)  —  6’4″, 310 pounds
  • 2006:  Tony Moll, Round 5 (165)  —  6’4″, 315 pounds
  • 2007:  Allen Barbre, Round 4 (119)  —  6’4″, 303 pounds
  • 2008:  Josh Sitton, Round 4 (135)  —  6’4″, 320 pounds
  • 2008:  Breno Giacomini, Round 5 (150)  —  6’7″, 305 pounds
  • 2009:  T.J. Lang, Round 4 (109)  —  6’4″, 305 pounds
  • 2009:  Jamon Meredith, Round 5 (162)  —  6’5″, 310 pounds
  • 2010:  Bryan Bulaga, Round 1 (23)  —  6’5″, 315 pounds
  • 2010:  Marshall Newhouse, Round 5 (169)  —  6’3″, 325 pounds
  • 2011:  Derek Sherrod, Round 1 (32)  —  6’5″, 312 pounds
  • 2011:  Caleb Schlauderaff, Round 6 (179)  —  6’4″, 305
  • 2012:  Andrew Datko, Round 7 (241)  —  6’6″, 315 pounds
  • 2013:  David Bakhtiari, Round 4 (109)  —  6’4″, 310 pounds
  • 2013:  J.C. Tretter, Round 4 (122)  —  6’4″, 307 pounds
  • 2014:  Corey Linsley, Round 5 (161)  —  6’3″, 300 pounds

Dec 21, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Green Bay Packers tackle Bryan Bulaga (75) blocks against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Prototype:

There is a lot to digest from above, but the first statistic I’ll point to is Ted Thompson’s sweet-spot, which is the fourth and fifth rounds.  Of the 18 offensive linemen he has selected, 11 of them have come from those two rounds alone, and I would expect that to be the earliest that Green Bay chooses to address the position in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Thompson has also shown a clear tendency to prefer college prospects who have played the tackle position. He’s had success drafting these players and moving them inside, too, which is at the heart of his strategy. Current right guard T.J. Lang played left tackle for his final two college seasons, while current left guard Josh Sitton was a right tackle entering the NFL.

Exactly half of the names above measure in at 6’4″, so I would describe Thompson’s physical prototype as a 6’4″, 310-pound college tackle. In the six instances that Thompson went for a prospect taller than 6’4″, only Bryan Bulaga (6’5″) has panned out.

Impact on 2015 NFL Draft:

With the starting five already firmly entrenched, don’t expect Thompson to address this position until his typical rounds.  J.C. Tretter will prove to be an extremely valuable reserve lineman in 2015, while Lane Thomas should stick on the roster in his third season.  Don’t forget center Joe Madsen, either, the West Virginia alum who was signed to Green Bay’s practice squad in January.

Let’s take a quick look at some late-round prospects that could fit Ted Thompson’s prototype:

Jamon Brown  —  The Louisville product stands at 6’4″, 320 pounds, and is projected to go in the 3rd-5th rounds.  Brown fits the Thompson prototype as he’s played left tackle in college, but has the skills and quickness to project as an interior pro.  His value may be a bit rich for Green Bay, but on the field, he matches up well with the conclusions from above.

Austin Shepherd  —  At 6’4″, 315 pounds, Shepherd fits the physical prototype nicely.  He started at right tackle for Alabama from 2013-2014, and displayed enough lateral quickness to profile as a decent pass-blocker.  His technique needs work, but as one of the toughest competitors in the class, he could appeal in the late rounds.

Takoby Cofield  —  Duke’s left tackle fits the parameters well, himself, standing at 6’4″, 310 pounds.  Speed and quickness are concerns with Cofield, which will likely push him inside at the NFL level, but his strength in the short-area running game is worthy of a look in the 7th round.

B.J. Finney  —  Drafting the centre from Kansas State with Linsley and Tretter already in place may seem counter-intuitive, but Finney could develop a quality swingman role on the inside.  The three-year team captain has a body that fits, playing strong and stout in the running game.  NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein actually lists Linsley as his NFL comparable.

Next: Green Bay Packers NFL Draft prototype: Wide receiver

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