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The Green Bay Packers used a second-round pick on massive offensive lineman Anthony Belton, a 336-pound left tackle who might have four-position versatility at the pro level.
The Packers have always valued size and versatility up front on offense, and Belton -- the 54th overall pick -- checks both boxes.
"I think he's very versatile," vice president of player personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan said Friday night. "I think he can play left tackle. I think he can play both guard spots. I think he can play right tackle. That's one of the things that attracted us to him. Big man, versatility across the line of scrimmage."
Belton is 6-6 and 336 pounds, but he moves well at his size and was a plus pass protector as a three-year starter at left tackle for North Carolina State.
Sullivan said the Packers want to be "big" and "physical" and wear down teams in the NFC North. Belton joins Aaron Banks, another massive lineman who signed in free agency, as top additions to the offensive line this offseason.
"He's a good football player, but he happens to be a huge man as well," Sullivan said.
While a 336-pounder usually plays inside at guard, the Packers are confident Belton can play on the edges at tackle.
Sullivan said the Packers saw "twitch" and ability to "get out of his stance" and "match speed" while watching as him operate offensive tackle, giving him true potential on both edges of the line.
"We do feel like he can play on the edge, whether it be left tackle or right tackle, and play it very well," Sullivan said.
Belton ranked fourth among all offensive tackles (min. 300 pass-blocking snaps) in pass-blocking grade in 2024. He gave up only 12 total pressures on almost 500 pass-blocking snaps.
Sullivan said the Packers will likely work Belton at both tackle and guard come this summer.
The Packers have three offensive linemen entering contract years in 2025 -- Zach Tom, Rasheed Walker and Sean Rhyan. If Belton has four-position versatility, he'll give the Packers a player who could compete for snaps right away in 2025 and possibly take over a starting job in 2026.
"He can absolutely play guard," Sullivan said. "He has size, the girth. He has the ability to move people."
"I think he's got all the athleticism and length to play on the edge, outside at tackle, right or left, and you can kick him in to guard and you're going to have a really good player there too."
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers see big, versatile offensive lineman in second-round pick Anthony Belton
Continue reading...
The Packers have always valued size and versatility up front on offense, and Belton -- the 54th overall pick -- checks both boxes.
"I think he's very versatile," vice president of player personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan said Friday night. "I think he can play left tackle. I think he can play both guard spots. I think he can play right tackle. That's one of the things that attracted us to him. Big man, versatility across the line of scrimmage."
Belton is 6-6 and 336 pounds, but he moves well at his size and was a plus pass protector as a three-year starter at left tackle for North Carolina State.
Sullivan said the Packers want to be "big" and "physical" and wear down teams in the NFC North. Belton joins Aaron Banks, another massive lineman who signed in free agency, as top additions to the offensive line this offseason.
"He's a good football player, but he happens to be a huge man as well," Sullivan said.
While a 336-pounder usually plays inside at guard, the Packers are confident Belton can play on the edges at tackle.
Sullivan said the Packers saw "twitch" and ability to "get out of his stance" and "match speed" while watching as him operate offensive tackle, giving him true potential on both edges of the line.
"We do feel like he can play on the edge, whether it be left tackle or right tackle, and play it very well," Sullivan said.
Belton ranked fourth among all offensive tackles (min. 300 pass-blocking snaps) in pass-blocking grade in 2024. He gave up only 12 total pressures on almost 500 pass-blocking snaps.
Sullivan said the Packers will likely work Belton at both tackle and guard come this summer.
The Packers have three offensive linemen entering contract years in 2025 -- Zach Tom, Rasheed Walker and Sean Rhyan. If Belton has four-position versatility, he'll give the Packers a player who could compete for snaps right away in 2025 and possibly take over a starting job in 2026.
"He can absolutely play guard," Sullivan said. "He has size, the girth. He has the ability to move people."
"I think he's got all the athleticism and length to play on the edge, outside at tackle, right or left, and you can kick him in to guard and you're going to have a really good player there too."
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers see big, versatile offensive lineman in second-round pick Anthony Belton
Continue reading...
