With starting left guard Elgton Jenkins taking a rest day, starting right tackle Zach Tom still working his way back from a torn pectoral and veteran offensive tackle Andre Dillard coming off a rough Tuesday practice, the Green Bay Packers provided Kadeem Telfort — an undrafted free agent from the 2023 class — an unexpected chance to take first-team reps at right tackle on Wednesday.
“It means a lot. I’m somewhat getting noticed now. Just taking advantage and taking it day by day,” Telfort said, via Mike Spofford of Packers.com.
A 28-game starter at UAB, Telfort went undrafted but signed with the Packers following the 2023 draft. He then spent the entire 2023 NFL season learning and developing on Green Bay’s practice squad.
Could Telfort — another massive offensive tackle prospect at 6-7 and 322 pounds — follow in the footsteps of Yosh Nijman and give himself a chance to be a swing tackle for the Packers in 2024?
Matt LaFleur’s team needs someone to grow into the role this season. Nijman is now in Carolina, and the depth chart at offensive tackle is thin behind Tom and Rasheed Walker, the assumed starters.
Dillard, a first-round pick in 2019 who is on his third NFL team, has struggled through three days of camp. He never got settled in Philadelphia and then wasn’t effective as a starter for the Titans last season.
Caleb Jones is on the physically unable to perform list due to a hamstring injury. Luke Tenuta, who missed most of last year with an injury, worked with the No. 2 offense on Wednesday.
First-round pick Jordan Morgan has a long history of playing left tackle, but the Packers are experimenting with him at guard in an attempt to find their five best offensive linemen. On Wednesday, Morgan got first-team reps at right guard.
The opportunity is there for anyone capable of grabbing hold of it.
While at UAB, Telfort gave up only 22 total pressures on over 800 pass-blocking snaps. He allowed one pressure while playing 48 snaps at left tackle for the Packers over three preseason games last summer.
He’s now in a position to earn a spot on the 53-man roster during this Packers training camp. Remember, Nijman once spent a full season on the practice squad before making the roster. Can Telfort keep taking advantage of opportunities this summer?
