Packers have already decided how to proceed with Jordan Morgan's development path

When the Green Bay Packers drafted Jordan Morgan with the 25th overall pick, part of the team’s motivation was based on his versatility. Morgan was a left tackle in college, but projected to be a guard in the NFL, so the Packers saw a ceiling to play outside and a floor to have a solid player inside.

Early on, though, it seems like they have already decided what Morgan’s rookie season will be about. He will start his trajectory as a right guard, at least in 2024, even though the future is still unclear.

"When you look at the big picture, kind of where you think he would compete best this year for a starting role, we looked and thought the right guard position was the spot," said Packers offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich on Monday. "There's a learning progression. I think he's done a really good job so far."

So far

Jordan Morgan has practiced everywhere around the offensive line, except center. He was a left tackle in the rookie minicamp, and during the offseason program he aligned at both guard and both tackle spots in different moments.

In training camp, however, the approach has been more specific. The Packers know that the right guard spot is where Morgan can make an immediate impact, so it makes sense to focus his work there.

Zach Tom has been out of team work since the offseason program because of a pec injury. Even so, the reps have gone to Andre Dillard and Kadeem Telfort.

Meanwhile, when Elgton Jenkins got his veteran rest day or moved to center when Josh Myers didn’t practice, the coaching staff decided to move Sean Rhyan from right to left guard, putting the rookie at his new preferred position.

Adjustments

The Packers like cross training the offensive line, but they perceive it makes more sense to it with their veterans. Based on last year’s lineup, right guard is in fact the weakest link — the starter there was Jon Runyan, who left in free agency to sign with the New York Giants. Left tackle was a possible scenario for Morgan, but Rasheed Walker played at a good level down the stretch and was second in the entire NFL in pass block win rate, right after Trent Williams.

At right guard, Jordan Morgan has a real shot to surpass Sean Rhyan. If the coaching staff thinks Josh Myers, not Rhyan, is the weakest link, the outcome has also been set up — with Elgton Jenkins moving from left guard to center, Rhyan from right to left guard, and Morgan entering the lineup at his usual spot.

Process discussion

The idea of playing Jordan Morgan exclusively at guard, at least from the get go, brings an adjacent discussion about the Packers’ draft decision. After all, the team selected Morgan when Graham Barton was still on the board. According to the NFL Mock Draft Database consensus big board, Barton was the better prospect — 25th overall, when Morgan was the 36th, a slight reach by Green Bay. At the time, the main argument for the Packers was that Morgan had more potential than Barton to play outside.

If Morgan will play exclusively inside , asking why the Packers didn’t just select Barton is a valid topic of conversation. However, that will depend on a series of factors. One, if Morgan won’t move outside later in his career. Then, how well Barton will play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — and where, since he’s now projected to be a center, and not a guard, with the Bucs.

Related: Recent NFL news shows the Packers made the correct decision in the draft