Practically the only need the Chargers did not address this offseason was right tackle, where incumbent Storm Norton and backup Trey Pipkins waged a summer competition. It looks like there will be a change up front for the Bolts. Pipkins appears to have beaten out Norton for the gig, Daniel Popper of The Athletic notes (subscription required). The two are swapping roles, with Pipkins — a 2019 third-round pick — leaving his swing tackle post to try his luck as a starter again. Norton, who replaced Bryan Bulaga early last season and made 15 starts, worked with the second team throughout practice this week and saw time as the second-string left tackle as well. Pipkins, 25, has made 10 career starts. While the Chargers demoted him in 2021, they were impressed with his left- and right-side spot starts late in the season. The University of Sioux Falls product, who is going into a contract year, will work on a line full of free agency investments (Corey Linsley, Matt Feiler) and first-round picks (Rashawn Slater, Zion Johnson).
Here is the latest from the O-line scene:
- Staying on the right tackle topic, Elgton Jenkins is expected to settle in there when he returns, per Albert Breer of SI.com. A high-end Swiss Army knife for the Packers, Jenkins made the 2020 Pro Bowl at guard and began last season as David Bakhtiari‘s left tackle fill-in. An ACL tear sidelined Jenkins in November. Jenkins would stand to command more in earnings with a quality right tackle season, though staying on the field in 2022 will position him for a lucrative deal no matter where he lines up. The Packers removed both players from the active/PUP list this month but do not yet know if Jenkins and Bakhtiari — who have not played together since December 2020 — will be ready for Week 1, Matt LaFleur reiterated Sunday. When healthy, a Bakhtiari-Jenkins duo would be one of the league’s best tackle tandems.
- The Vikings are on the verge of having five homegrown first- or second-round picks as O-line starters. Second-round rookie Ed Ingram is “trending” toward being the Vikes’ right guard starter, Kevin O’Connell said (via the St. Paul Pioneer Press’ Chris Tomasson). Although Minnesota signed Jesse Davis and Chris Reed as potential stopgaps, Ingram has impressed since moving to first-team duty during camp. Ingram worked with Minnesota’s first team in joint practices against San Francisco, with Davis — who had taken some days off to rest a surgically repaired knee — shifting to the second team, Tomasson adds. Ingram was also held out of the Vikings’ preseason finale Saturday, and while O’Connell stopped short of locking the LSU product into the lineup, that is the likely scenario. Ingram would join 2021 first-rounder Christian Darrisaw, 2020 second-rounder Ezra Cleveland, 2019 first-rounder Garrett Bradbury and 2018 second-rounder Brian O’Neill on a fully homegrown Vikings line.
- Free agent pickup Elijah Wilkinson looks to have commandeered the Falcons‘ left guard spot, per D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, who notes the former Broncos and Bears blocker looks set to play ahead of 2021 third-rounder Jalen Mayfield. The Michigan product struggled as a rookie, ranking as a bottom-10 Pro Football Focus guard. Mayfield did start 16 games, so a demotion is certainly notable for player who started one with the Bears last season. Wilkinson’s most relevant NFL work came in Denver, when he served as Ja’Wuan James‘ primary replacement from 2019-20. Mayfield may already be on Atlanta’s roster bubble, per Ledbetter.
Ooof, Pipkens was really just not very good as a starter at that position. I certainly hope, for the Chargers’ sake, that he’s improved. If they get the same production out of him that they did previously, Herbert is going to have a weak spot to contend with on the line.
As for Jenkins…it’s good that he is so versatile and productive at ever o-line spot, it seems that it would behoove the Packers to pick a place for him and draft/sign other players to make up the difference. Jenkins was very good at guard, and can fill in well at tackle, but getting him a solid position going forward seems like it would be more sound than constantly shuffling him around. If nothing else, it should help identify the more glaring needs along the line that they need to fill.
The thing is, injuries have been the reason for Jenkins moving around. The difference this time is in his absence they feel his LG spot is sufficiently filled, and with the departures in FA this off-season, and none of the draft picks or guys they brought in off the street to win the job, they need him to hopefully plug the hole at RT.
Would be nice if..uh, #73..could slide over to RT. Don’t know if he’s not quite polished enough or they’re keeping him on the ready to play LT if necessary.
Yeah, you’re right, it just seems that a few years in the poor guy is still being shuffled around. Injuries have been the reason, true, but he’s still being used as a Swiss Army Knife every season.
ACL tears are a menace, could be Bakh never plays a meaningful snap again, given he tore it twice or whatever.
LOL…where do people get this? No, he didn’t tear it twice. Just the one torn ACL.
And it’s almost always a 9(very optimistic schedule) to 14 month return period(healthier and more normal range). He came back and played in a game after about 12 months…but scar tissue and then floating cartilage from the meniscus kept causing swelling and fluid to build up. That is miserable to get drained and it’s sign that you have other irritations in your knee.
He also had it repaired rather than getting an achilles graft(which heal quicker but higher rate of failing, though both are low).
But he came back and played VERY well last year in the Det came. His knee was just not ready to play yet.
He’ll OBVIOUSLY play again baring another freak injury, and it’ll be in the first month if not sooner. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have come off PUP a couple weeks ago.
I’d bet on him playing before Oct. And if not for Jenkins set back(which may or may not be anything, but it’s not knee related) he was on pace for week 1, but now could be week 1 or week 4.
They’ll be back for the Pats game, Giants at the latest.
I don’t get the problem. Yosh looked so much better this pre-season. He looked like an average NFL LT. Last year he looked like a really good #3 option. But he played RT in College(early on) and spent his first couple years as the Packers swing tackle.
The other issue is their first depth chart had Hanson at RG and Newman at RT.
I thought Newman was more of a RT when they drafted him. Hopefully that’s the case as he wasn’t a very good RG.
Hanson…eh, I’ll trust the Packers. I don’t see it, but I’m not watching the All-22. Zach Tom seemed to very obviously be one of the best 5 without Bahk or Jenkins(and probably with them).
Bahk/Runyan/Myers/Tom/Jenkins
Or slide Tom to RT, Jenkins to LG and then Runyan out to RG. Either way, that seems like the best 5 when healthy. Rhyan is just not quite there in pass pro yet. Caleb Jones looked shockingly good compared to his time at IU and was shocked he made it through waivers and Yosh’ run blocking was better, but if he’s not going to play RT…they may consider trading him. Wait for Tyler Smith to struggle in Dallas and try and get a 4th for him once everyone’s back and healthy. Newman/Tom/Walker/Jones can handle OT depth. And Sean Rhyan in a pinch.
The Vikings probably won’t finish the season with Bradbury starting. They might not even start the season that way. Lol
I’m really hoping the Chargers make a move to sign or trade for a right tackle. Pipkins and Norton have not been good. They’re going all in for this window might as well finish off the roster and upgrade that spot.
Yeah, that was strange. Caleb Jones, the UDFA from Indiana, 6’9, 370 looked incredible this pre-season. Can’t believe he wasn’t claimed.
Probably some skepticism he’s gonna get back up to 400 and not last very long, but he could play right now.
Very surprised teams like the Cowboys/Charters didn’t take him. At least for competition/depth.
Did any of the last round of cuts get claimed..? I can’t think of any, and was all but certain Heflin, Slayton, Taylor, Goodson, Jones and maybe Winfree would get snatched up.
As you obviously know now…no.
Good reminder that we value our own players more than other teams…every team has a RB they think could get claimed.
But OL depth and DL depth, I’m surprised the Bears picked up Leatherwood but passed on Jones. Same with Dallas, a team that runs a power scheme that requires less pulling and suits Caleb Jones even better.
Packers have a better 53 this year and a better 69 man roster…but it’s still about the few impact players and how they impact players around them. Two elite OTs returning to this OL for example, would allow Zach Tom or your next best OL to play RG along with Myers and Runyan.
On the flip side, with no #1 WRer…you’re gonna need that OL to give Rodgers another .5-1 second to let those WRers uncover.
I think this defense is gonna come out, looking great. The run game will be good. I think the passing game is going to lag well behind for the first chunk of the season…particularly with Watson missing so much camp.