Green Bay Packers: 5 Free agents to sign before training camp
By Joe Kipp
2. Jared Veldheer, OT
The Packers’ depth along the offensive line is extremely shaky, especially at offensive tackle. Stalwart right tackle Bryan Bulaga departed this past offseason for the Los Angeles Chargers, as the team elected to sign Rick Wagner to a cheaper deal in order to fill Bulaga’s absence.
Green Bay’s current swing tackle, Billy Turner, was the team’s starting right guard in 2019. Turner has recorded starts at each position on the offensive line excluding center over his career; a jack of all trades, master of none.
Behind Turner is inexperience, though. The Packers drafted three rookie linemen this past April. Jon Runyan figures to be the team’s next best option as a backup swing tackle, though it’d be hard to rely on a rookie to protect Aaron Rodgers in an emergency situation.
Lucas Patrick or Lane Taylor are the team’s other options for versatile backups. Taylor, who’s played both left and right guard during his career, could be in a training camp battle with Turner for the right guard spot.
Because the Packers are thin at tackle, they should consider re-signing Jared Veldheer, who filled in admirably last season when Bulaga missed time. Veldheer, 33, appeared in two games for Green Bay in 2019 and didn’t surrender a single quarterback pressure on 58 pass-blocking snaps according to PFF (subscription required).