green Bay Packers rookie Zach Tom doesn't always look like a customary NFL left tackle, but his head coach believes he has the right combination of athleticism and approach to handle the high-stress place.
Tom, the Packers' fourth-round prefer, is already getting first-team reps at left address to start practicing camp.
"I know it's a unique game, however he's performed it in college and he's bought the athleticism, and he's got superb method. He in reality does," instruct Matt LaFleur said. "For what he lacks perhaps in sheer measurement, he can basically sink his hips and anchor and does a very good job with that."
Tom, at 6-four and 304 pounds, has pretty much identical size as 5-time All-professional David Bakhtiari, who turned into 6-4 and 299 kilos popping out of Colorado. Like Bakhtiari, Tom will need to rely on his athleticism (Relative Athletic score of 9.59 at offensive address) and capability to be technically sound to mitigate some of the considerations over size on the position.
The evaluation between Tom and Bakhtiari probably isn't even the most fulfilling one obtainable. Tom and Rashawn Slater – a first-circular prefer of the l. a. Chargers who made the seasoned Bowl as a rookie left address – are practically similar when it comes to dimension and athletic capability:
This isn't to claim Tom is going to be the subsequent Bakhtiari or Slater. It's to display that gamers together with his measurement can still thrive on the edges of the offensive line.
Tom all started 24 video games at left handle for Wake woodland. His college tape exhibits a participant who was at all times under manage in pass coverage, using stability, footwork and an understanding of angles, leverage and hand utilization to always retain side rushers out of the pocket.
Tom's lack of size could be a much bigger situation on the NFL degree, where just about all part rushers are giant athletes. however his work towards first-circular prefer Jermaine Johnson throughout the 2021 season proves that Tom's aggregate of skills is greater than sufficient to win towards high-conclusion rushers.
The Packers are giving Tom a valid possibility to enhance his advantage on the offensive line's most important position. Undersized doesn't mean incapable. It simply requires greater in different areas, and LaFleur and the Packers are confident Tom checks the different vital boxes for a participant at left tackle.
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