GUARDS (7)
Lane Taylor (Ht.: 6-3; Wt.: 320; Age: 26; Acquired: FA-’13; College: Oklahoma State)
The unassuming and even-keeled Taylor played 96% of snaps in his first season as a starter and held up admirably despite a cloud of media attention. He led the team in “bad” runs with 13 and gave up 281⁄2 pressures, but there was nary a hint of trepidation or uneasiness throughout the season.
“What I’ve noticed this year is he’s a lot more confident,” Campen said. “Obviously when you play, you gain that confidence, but he’s actually helping the younger guys in the room. That’s very encouraging to see him do that because Lane is a fundamentally sound player. He’s had to come up as a free agent and do the things necessary to start. So certainly he’s a good person to follow in that room.”
Jahri Evans (Ht.: 6-4; Wt.: 318; Age: 33; Acquired: FA-’17; College: Bloomsburg)
Upon his arrival, Evans became the oldest player in the Packers’ locker room, narrowly edging out Rodgers, the man he will try to protect this season. The five-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowl pick is the odds-on favorite to win the job at right guard.
Evans was an unrestricted free agent after a stellar career in New Orleans and signed a one-year, $2.25 million deal with the Packers that is fairly heavy on incentives. He will have to prove his worth. The contract included a $1.15 million base salary, a $200,000 signing bonus, up to $800,000 in weekly roster bonuses, a $100,000 workout bonus and $250,000 in incentives.
“I was just waiting on a phone call from a team like Green Bay,” Evans said in May. “They came calling and I came, and it worked out well. I wasn’t going to play for a team that didn’t have a chance to win. I would rather just wait until somebody that had a chance to win needed me. It worked out well. I’m happy.”
Lucas Patrick (Ht.: 6-31⁄2; Wt.: 313; Age: 23; Acquired: FA-’16; College: Duke)
Patrick battled with Murphy for the final spot on the 53-man roster last season. Though he was frustrated to be cut, Patrick quickly re-signed as a member of the practice squad and stayed there, impressing the coaches throughout the year.
He joins Murphy on the list of players who will compete for the starting job at right guard.
Kofi Amichia (Ht.: 6-3 ⁄ ; Wt.: 308; Age: 22; Acquired: D6-’17; College: South Florida)
Amichia played tackle at South Florida but knew he would be moving inside at the next level, tailoring his pre-draft training to focus mostly on guard and center. He is an intriguing prospect due largely to terrific athleticism: 4.98 seconds in the 40-yard dash, a vertical leap of 33 ⁄ inches and a broad jump of 9 feet 6 inches.
Should he make the team, Amichia would offer a third option at center behind Linsley and Barclay.
Geoff Gray (Ht.: 6-51⁄2; Wt.: 315; Age: 22; Acquired: FA-’17; College: Manitoba)
Gray, who played at the 12 University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, was described as a “good get” for the Packers as an undrafted free agent, according to an executive in personnel whose team had given Gray a sixth-round grade.
Taylor is the only solidified guard on the roster, so there are spots to be won on the interior.
Adam Pankey (Ht.: 6-4 ⁄ ; Wt.: 312; Age: 23; Acquired: FA-’17; College: West Virginia)
Pankey was a three-year starter at West Virginia, splitting time between left tackle and left guard. He chose the Packers in part because of their obvious need along the offensive line. He would like to be considered for the right guard spot as well.
Pankey took reps at both guard and tackle during OTAs and minicamp.
Justin McCray (Ht.: 6-3 ⁄ ; Wt.: 317; Age: 25; Acquired: FA-’17; College: Central Florida)
McCray signed with the Packers in March to continue an interesting career path. He was originally an undrafted free agent with the Tennessee Titans in 2014 and spent the year on their practice squad. However, his most recent experience came with the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League.
Thomas Evans (Ht.: 6-3; Wt.: 310; Age: 23; Acquired: FA-’17; College: Richmond)
Evans is an incredible weightlifter. His top marks include 525 pounds on the bench press, a 690-pound squat and 425 pounds in the power clean.
“I’m actually considered the strongest guy to come through the University of Richmond,” Evans said in May. “I say that in the humblest way possible. I’m a big fan of the weight room.”
Robert Leff (Ht.: 6-5; Wt.: 302; Age: 23; Acquired: FA-’17; College: Auburn)
Leff signed with the Packers in June, a month after the first wave of undrafted free agents. He spent a month with the Falcons earlier this year and was released June 2.