Green Bay Packers: 5 Biggest surprises of 2019 regular season
By Joe Kipp
2. Elgton Jenkins was Packers’ best rookie
The Packers selected two players (Rashan Gary and Darnell Savage) in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, but neither have been as impressive as left guard Elgton Jenkins. A rookie himself, Jenkins was taken with the 44th overall pick in the second round and has been a rock along the interior offensive line.
Though he went into the season as a backup, it didn’t take long for Jenkins to take over as the starting left guard. After the opening day starter, Lane Taylor, was placed on injured reserve with a biceps injury in Week 2, Jenkins was named the starter and never looked back. To be fair to Jenkins, he probably would have taken over eventually anyway.
There’s an argument to be made that Jenkins has been the best rookie offensive lineman in the entire NFL. During the 2019 regular season, Jenkins did not allow a single sack on 571 pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). He saw action in 15 games and started every game since Week 3. Jenkins finished with the highest grade among all rookie guards, allowing just 22 quarterback pressures all season.
The Packers hit a home-run in the second round, as Jenkins appears to be a key cog along the interior for years to come. With Aaron Rodgers only getting older in the years to come, Jenkins’ presence is even more important.