Not much is going right for the Packers right now but there is one huge positive for the team. The 2022 rookie class is looking really good. Rookie Zach Tom is the Packers’ next great lineman.
Zach Tom Makes His Starting Debut On Sunday
The Packers had to retool their offensive line after the debacle against the Jets. The plan was to have David Bakhtiari at left tackle but he got scratched last minute. Zach Tom was thrust into the starting left tackle role hours before kickoff. He nailed his debut performance which is why Zach Tom is the Packers’ next great lineman. The difficulty of not only starting but not knowing of the starting role until hours before cannot be understated. Tom did not look flustered at all and handled a very good Commanders’ pass rush very well.
Zach Tom Is The Packers’ Next Great Lineman
The Packers have always drafted linemen well. The last 20 years of the Packers’ offensive lines have seen many All-Pro linemen. The front office seems to constantly be able to find value in the draft and develop the prospects into elite NFL talent. Nobody had ever heard of Yosh Nijman until the Packers developed him into a solid starting tackle. Elgton Jenkins is a top guard in the league. Past lineman TJ Lang, Josh Sitton, and Corey Linsley were dominant in their position. Countless others have been solid for the Packers and Zach Tom looks to be another gem.
The 2022 Rookie Class Is Looking Great
While Zach Tom is the Packers’ next great lineman, other rookies have a chance to make their mark on the team long-term. Fellow 4th rounder Romeo Doubs has had his struggles but the potential is there. Remember, Davante Adams had some issues in his first couple of seasons and then turned into an elite receiver. Doubs may not turn into Davante Adams but he looks to be a solid receiver. Kingsley Enagbare has had a sack in back-to-back games and has been a terror in the edge. Quay Walker is raw but looks amazing on the field. Even Christian Watson has shown flashes of being a great role player for the Packers.
The 2022 Draft Class Shows Why Packers Are Hesitant To Trade Picks
If Zach Tom is the Packers’ next great lineman, it makes sense why the Packers want to hold onto picks. Fans and analysts have been hounding general manager Brian Gutekunst to trade for a wide receiver. This class shows why the Packers might be hesitant to do so. Zach Tom and Romeo Doubs were both 4th round picks. The aforementioned Enagbare was a 5th-round pick. Christian Watson was a 2nd round pick. If the Packers can continue to find value in the mid-rounds, it makes sense why they do not want to throw those picks away for a receiver.
Zach Tom Is One Of The Few Positives From Sunday
Things are pretty bleak for the Packers right now. Not much is going right. The offense looks lost and the defense has flashes of dominance but then falters late. With Zach Tom making a spot start, there was potential that the offensive line was going to be a problem again. This was not the case. Zach Tom is the next great Packers’ lineman because he can come into a high-pressure situation and play at a high level. I cannot tell you how impressed I was with his play on Sunday.
The Packers’ future looks bright if Zach Tom and the rest of the rookie class can continue their high level of play. This might be a season where the Packers need to look at the positives in the future rather than the present. Hopefully, for the Packers, Zach Tom is the next great Packers lineman.