The 2024 NFL Draft will be here in a little more than a week. As of now, the Green Bay Packers have the 25th overall pick in the first round and five picks in the top 100 including two second round picks and two more in the third round. This is the first in a series of articles looking at players the Packers may be interested in selecting in the early rounds of this year’s draft. The only players listed here are realistic possibilities for the Packers GM Brian Gutekunst to pick in the first or second round of the draft or who fill specific needs for the team right now. Today we will examine offensive tackles. Here are five offensive tackles the Packers could select in the early rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft.

The State of the Packers Offensive Tackles Entering the 2024 NFL Draft

The Packers two starting offensive tackles from last season are back for 2024. Left tackle Rasheed Walker and right tackle Zach Tom are both on their rookie contracts and both played well in 2023. However, there has been talk of Tom moving to center and for the Packers looking for a potential upgrade over Walker.

Depth is a concern. Both David Bakhtiari and Yosh Nijman were not brought back, leaving depth an issue. The inexperienced trio of Luke Tenuta, Kadeem Telfort, and Caleb Jones have potential but are unproven. That leaves the team looking for depth and potentially a starter or two as well.

Tackle is a premium position and protecting Jordan Love and opening holes for the running game will be critical for the Packers going forward.

So here is a list of possible offensive tackles the Packers may take early in the 2024 draft. They are not listed in any particular order. These are not the best available players but are players the Packers could take if they use the 25th pick or trade up grab them a bit sooner.

Offensive Tackles the Packers Could Select in the Early Rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft, Number One: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Penn State

Olumuyiwa Fashanu possesses many of the traits the Packers and all NFL teams look for in an offensive tackle. He has great size at 6’6” and 312 pounds and the RAS the Packers desire with 9.59. He’s also just 21 years old.

Fashanu didn’t allow a sack in his final season at Penn State. He grades out better in pass protection than as a run blocker but is more than capable of moving defenders one-on-one. Fashanu moves well for a big man and can mirror pass rushers. Scouts may prefer he possesed a bit more of a mean streak and that he be more aggressive finishing plays.

Fashanu and Packers left tackle Rasheed Walker were teammates at Penn State so the Packers could get some insight into his personality from Walker.

The Packers would likely have to trade up to get Fashanu. He lacks the versatility the Packers prefer as he has only played left tackle in college. The size and athletic ability are there and Fashanu projects as a long-time starting left tackle who the Packers would certainly love to add to their roster.

Number Two: Talise Fuaga, Oregon State

Talise Fuaga may not fit the Packers ideal size requirements, but he makes up for it with great athleticism that includes a 9.60 RAS.

The Oregon State alum has the potential to play right tackle or move to the interior offensive line. That means he has the versatility the Packers love much like Tom or Elgton Jenkins.

Fuaga would immediately upgrade the Packers run blocking. He is strong and can move in space. Putting him in the lineup along with Tom could make a big difference in run blocking. In pass blocking, Fuaga can have issues with speed rushers off the edge, but many scouts believe this can be corrected with proper coaching and technique.

Moving him inside may be the Packers preference because of his arm length but he would be an intriguing prospect who could fall close to where the Packers pick depending on how the draft board falls out.

Offensive Tackles the Packers Could Select in the Early Rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft, Number Three: Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma

Like all prospects the Packers value, Tyler Guyton has a high RAS at 9.71. He has played basketball in addition to football and played at TCU before switching to Oklahoma. Guyton remains a bit raw. He has started only 15 games in college football, but his raw physical ability and athletic tools show he may not have even reached his full potential yet.

At 6’7” and 322, he may be a little bigger than the Packers ideally prefer their offensive tackles. Guyton grades out better in pass protection than as a run blocker. He needs to improve his technique in both areas but clearly has the athletic ability scouts rave about.

Guyton prefers to play right tackle but may be able to move to the left side with the right coaching. He needs to get a little bit stronger and improve his technique, but he has a mean streak and plays to the whistle.

Guyton could make an intriguing addition to the Packers offensive line.

Number Four: Amarius Mims, Georgia

Georgia’s Amarius Mims may be too big for the Packers at 6’7” and 340 pounds. He has the physical tools to succeed in the NFL including a long wingspan and good quickness for a big man.

He’s strong and can be effective at the point of attack when run blocking but he’s better at pass protection. He’s only started eight games in his college football career and missed time last season with an ankle injury.

Mims lacks versatility and will only start at right tackle. He needs to work more on his run blocking technique and improve his lower body strength a bit to excel at the next level.

Mims will be a bit of a project who could develop into a quality starter after spending a year as the swing tackle and adjusting to the NFL game.

Offensive Tackles the Packers Could Select in the Early Rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft, Number Five: Kingsley Suamataia, BYU

Kingsley Suamataia will likely fall to the second round but may be an ideal prospect for the Packers at that spot. The 6’4”, 326-pound BYU alum has the athleticism the Packers crave and scored a 9.35 RAS.

Suamataia has NFL bloodlines as his cousin is Penei Sewell. He has nimble feet to mirror in pass protection and can run block at the second level.

He’s demonstrated leadership after being voted a team captain as a sophomore last season. He started at both left and right tackle in college. The offense he played in college was designed to run downhill and his blocking fit that system well.

The Packers would need to be patient with Suamataia who remains raw and needs to improve his technique in all facets of blocking. Still, the raw ability is there and if he gets the right coaching and puts in the time, he could become a long-term starter at either tackle.

 

 

Follow Gil Martin on Twitter @GilPackers

Click here for more great Packers coverage