After a couple of weeks of getting beat up by their own defensive front, the Green Bay Packers offensive line rose to the challenge of facing the San Francisco 49ers in the preseason opener on Friday night.
Coach Matt LaFleur started Yosh Nijman, Jon Runyan Jr., Josh Myers, Jake Hanson and Royce Newman and later mixed in rookie Zach Tom at right tackle. The top six played the majority of the first half and did a strong job protecting the passer.
“I thought our offensive line did a much better job. I thought they held up really nice over the course of the game,” LaFleur said. “By and a large, I thought they did a nice job.”
According to Pro Football Focus, starting quarterback Jordan Love was under pressure on just four of his 26 dropbacks.
LaFleur said the run-blocking wasn’t perfect, but he was pleased with the performance overall.
Nijman gave up two total pressures, including the lone quarterback hit. Hanson got dinged for two penalties.
Myers was PFF’s highest-graded player overall for the Packers. Tom, the fourth-round, was the second-highest graded offensive player. This offensive line could look much different if Myers takes a big second-year leap and Tom emerges as a capable starter at offensive tackle.
Snaps by position:
LT: Yosh Nijman, 46; Caleb Jones, 25
LG: Jon Runyan, 46; Cole Van Lanen, 25
C: Josh Myers, 36; Jake Hanson, 20; Michal Menet, 15
RG: Jake Hanson, 36; Sean Rhyan 24; Royce Newman, 10; Ty Clary, 1
RT: Royce Newman, 36; Zach Tom, 35
