The Green Bay Packers needed help on their offensive line and they got with their final pick of Day 2. With the 92nd overall pick, the Packers selected UCLA offensive lineman Sean Rhyan. As a three-year starter for the Bruins, Rhyan offers an option at both tackle and guard for Green Bay.
In 2019, he became the first UCLA true freshman to start a season-opener at tackle since 2012. Rhyan became a mainstay at the left tackle spot, garnering multiple accolades for his outstanding play over three seasons.
During his career, Rhyan was a key contributor for one of the top rushing offenses in the country. He also held his own in pass protection. As a freshman, Rhyan allowed only one sack and 37 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. In 2021, he allowed one sack and 13 total pressures in 12 games. Last year, Rhyan was named to the first-team All-Pac-12 team by the league’s coaches and the second team by the Associated Press and PFF.
Rhyan has good size at 6-5 and 321 pounds and is surprisingly nimble. This was showcased through his short-area quickness and ability to climb to the second level as a run blocker. He has a proportional build, solid wingspan, and huge hands. It is believed that he can make a seamless transition to guard while offering flexibility as a tackle in a pinch.
Rhyan’s versatility is exactly what the Packers look for in their linemen. And the good news is, he won’t have to play right away, even though that is an option. Green Bay’s starting line is up in the air after releasing right tackle Billy Turner during the offseason. They also won’t have Elgton Jenkins at the start of the regular season as he recovers from an ACL injury. Yosh Nijman is the expected front runner for right tackle duties, but the Packers could give Rhyan a look there as well.
Ideally, Rhyan will sit at the beginning of his career to figure out his best position. He does have a lot of desirable traits, but his unpolished technique in pass protection may be ill-advised to leave out on the edge. Experts believe he has the hand usage, bend, and build to transition to guard. Green Bay already has a solid foundation of guards in Jenkins, Jon Runyan Jr, and Royce Newman. However, Jenkins could make the move to tackle once he is healthy. Rhyan will provide another solid option at multiple positions.
It could be the perfect situation for Rhyan to enter. There is no pressure to play right away, and he is a part of an organization known for developing offensive linemen.
