Packers Use 2nd-Round Pick on New Starting Center

The Green Bay Packers have found Corey Linsley’s replacement.

With the No. 62 overall pick in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft, the Packers selected former Ohio State center Josh Myers on Friday night to give themselves a quality new option for the middle of their offensive line. Center was considered one of their biggest needs for the 2021 season after they allowed Linsley to sign elsewhere in free agency.

Myers was a two-year starting center for the Buckeyes and distinguished himself as a driving force in the trenches for their high-octane offense, helping J.K. Dobbins become the program’s first-ever 2,000-yard rusher in 2019 and Justin Fields finish as a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2020. He finished his final season as a first-team All-Big Ten Conference selection as well as a finalist for the Rimington Trophy, which is awarded each season to the best center in college football.

The Packers have now selected an interior offensive lineman with two of their last three second-round picks, including Elgton Jenkins at No. 44 overall in 2019.

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Myers Could Enhance Packers’ Run Game

Myer is the type of violent interior presence that should have Packers running backs Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon drolling over the pick. His viciousness helped Trey Sermon, Master Teague and Fields each average more than four yards per rushing attempt last season and directly paved the way for several of the Buckeyes’ 19 overall rushing yards. The 6-foot-5, 310-pound mauler is also quick to get out of his stance and up to the next level; though, he has work to do once he gets there.

The good news is Packers offensive line coach Adam Stenavich — who helped develop Jenkins into a Pro Bowler in his first two seasons — will have a direct hand in how the backfield functions in 2021 after getting a title promotion to run game coordinator earlier this offseason. His additional responsibilities should allow him to better play to his rookie center’s strengths while they work behind the scenes to iron out his weakness, such as his balance and effectiveness against high-speed defenders.

Packers Now Have Options at Center

While the Packers spending a premium draft pick on Myers suggests they have hopes that he will become their new starting center, there are now a few options available to them as they spend the next several months figuring out what their offensive line will look like in 2021.

The Packers are returning four of their five starters from last year’s roster with Jenkins and Lucas Patrick both candidates to take over at center; however, the recovery of All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari from his late-December ACL tear could impact how they configure their Week 1 lineup. If Bakhtiari is unable to go right away, the Packers could be forced to call upon Jenkins’ versatility to cover for him until he is back to 100%.

Regardless, the Packers will likely seek competition for the center vacancy, even if it boils down to a one-on-one battle between Myers and Patrick. Experience could always win out for Patrick — who made 15 starts, primarily at right guard, last season — but Myers is also coming in with an impressive resume after playing for a regular College Football Playoff contender.