Green Bay Packers rookie offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins produced an impressive preseason debut in the pass-blocking department against the Houston Texans.
Jenkins, the Packers’ second-round pick, started at right guard and played 45 snaps between guard and center.
Coach Matt LaFleur sees the makings of a “really good player.”
“I think he’ll play in this league for a long time,” LaFleur said after Saturday’s practice. “I love his demeanor, I love the way he goes about his business. I thought he did a really good job in protection the other night. Still a lot of things to clean up and work on, but I think the future is bright for him.”
Jenkins wasn’t perfect in the run game, but he helped anchor an offensive line that didn’t allow a sack or a quarterback hit – a rarity in a preseason game.
Pro Football Focus gave Jenkins the top pass-blocking grade among all guards and centers during the first week of the preseason.
Ben Fennell of The Athletic provided a closer look below:
The Packers rewarded Jenkins with first-team reps at right guard during Saturday’s practice. The rookie is competing with Lane Taylor to be the starting left guard and would likely be the top backup at right guard if starter Billy Turner had to move out to right tackle.
If Jenkins can show improvement in the run game and continue impressing in pass protection over the next three weeks, he’ll have a strong case for a starting job and immediate playing time.
Brown keeps impressing: Second-year cornerback Tony Brown continues to pass every test put in front of him.
Brown has been starting for the first-team defense in place of Kevin King, who is out with a hamstring injury, and he keeps making plays. He not only produced a pick-six of DeShone Kizer during Family Night and went head-to-head and held his own against Pro Bowler DeAndre Hopkins in the joint practices last week, but he was dominant during a team drill against Aaron Rodgers and the first-team offense on Sunday, defending several passes.
“We were testing him a few times downfield, and he’s answered the bell,” LaFleur said.
It’s beginning to look like Brown will be more than just an emergency backup in 2019. He’s battling for snaps, and he’s showing coaches that he can be trusted to handle man-to-man coverage against any receiver.
“We know Tony Brown loves football,” defensive backs coach Jason Simmons said. “Whenever the opportunity presents itself, he’s excited to step up and take the challenge.”
Bolton provides intriguing subpackage option: Although small for an inside linebacker, rookie Curtis Bolton could give the Packers an intriguing blitzer and coverage option on obvious passing situations.
In the preseason opener, Bolton flashed ability doing both. He broke up a pass, had smothering coverage on a receiver in the end zone and twice busted into the backfield for quarterback pressures. He’s athletic, comfortable in space and slippery as a rusher. The undrafted free agent from Oklahoma should be part of the puzzle when it comes to replacing linebacker Oren Burks, who might have a season-ending chest injury.
EQ drops out: Receiver Equanimeous St. Brown dropped out of Sunday’s practice with a knee injury. It’s unclear the extent of the injury. The Packers are off Monday before returning to practice Tuesday.
