Packers rookie OL Zach Tom is playing like a starter through two preseason games
The Green Bay Packers may have found their future right tackle in the fourth round of this year’s NFL draft. Rookie Zach Tom has been super impressive through the first two preseason games and now has a legitimate chance to start to open the regular season.
According to Pro Football Focus, Tom has yet to allow a sack, quarterback hit, hurry, or pressure in 75 offensive snaps, with every rep taking place at right tackle. He is also Green Bay’s highest-rated offensive player with a grade of 87.3.
In both matchups, Tom has only gone up against backups, so there’s danger in overrating the performances. He has yet to be a part of the first offensive line unit to start the game, but that could change in preseason game three.
Tom has outplayed Royce Newman, who has started both games at right tackle. Newman has only allowed one pressure in 82 snaps, however, his pass and run blocking grades are much lower than Tom’s. Per PFF, Newman’s pass blocking grade is 62.9, while Tom’s is 82.0. It’s almost like Tom has never been in trouble in pass protection.
No panic in Zach Tom’s game, just a smooth operator. pic.twitter.com/BGg37akIJq
— Brandon Carwile (@PackerScribe) August 20, 2022
While Tom has been rock solid in the passing game, he has also stood out as a run blocker.
Loveeeee this backside work from Zach Tom/Royce Newman
Newman's right hand on this is incredible (great displacement on the DT). And then the finish from Tom! Beautiful stuff from the big uglies@zachtom5 @RoyceNewman4488 pic.twitter.com/v3FNnCCP2v
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) August 20, 2022
Tom’s PFF run blocking grade is currently 87.5, which is the highest on the team. Meanwhile, Newman is sixth at 69.2.
This isn’t to say that Newman should lose his starting job. He started 16 games at right guard in 2021 and could easily make the move back. Newman played 19 snaps at right guard against the New Orleans Saints when Tom was at right tackle, signaling what could be the best combination to start the regular season.
The Packers will then have to make a tough decision when they get back their All-Pro caliber linemen in David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins. Bakhtiari will obviously return to left tackle, but Jenkins could play basically anywhere. Many considered him to be the future right tackle in Green Bay, but that was before Tom burst onto the scene. Jenkins could always start at the left guard spot, which is where he has lined up the most as a pro.
It’s a good problem to have if you’re the Packers and everyone is healthy. They have plenty of serviceable linemen who could start in a pinch, but the trick will be finding the right group that gives the team the best chance to win. It will be interesting to see where Tom falls in that equation after a promising start to his young career.
