The Green Bay Packers’ offensive line has faced challenges due to free agency, with key departures including David Bakhtiari and Jon Runyan Jr., and uncertainty surrounding Yosh Nijman. Strengthening the offensive line has become a priority for the team.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the free-agent market offers limited options for offensive linemen, with Tyron Smith being a notable player available. However, beyond Smith, the talent pool is shallow. Conversely, the 2024 draft presents numerous promising offensive line prospects.
One such prospect is Graham Barton from Duke, whose versatility fits well with Green Bay’s preferences. Barton has played significant snaps both as a left tackle and a center during his time at Duke, showcasing adaptability crucial for handling defensive linemen effectively.
Despite having slightly shorter arms compared to other prospects, Barton has demonstrated impressive skills on tape, including holding his ground against top defensive players like Jared Verse. While there may be considerations for Barton shifting to the interior line in the NFL, this aligns with Green Bay’s needs as they have strong returning tackles in Zach Tom and Rasheed Walker.
Notably, Jon Runyan’s recent performance has seen a decline in blocking grades compared to previous seasons, while Josh Myers faced challenges throughout the regular season with grades below league average in both passing and blocking.
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