Elgton Jenkins started his final two seasons at Mississippi State at center, but the Green Bay Packers have their second-round pick focused on playing a different position to start his NFL career.
Even with starting center Corey Linsley sidelined for parts of Wednesday’s work at OTAs, Jenkins remained at guard, where the Packers want him to take the majority of his early work.
“Yeah, we do work with him a little bit at the (center) position, but his main area of focus is going to be at the guard position,” coach Matt LaFleur said.
Learning how to play guard could give Jenkins the easiest path to playing time. While Linsley has become an Ironman inside at center, the Packers have question marks at both guard positions, with Lane Taylor coming off a disappointing season at left guard and free agent addition Billy Turner taking over as the new starter at right guard.
It’s possible Jenkins could emerge as a legitimate candidate to start at either spot, or at the very least be the top backup to Taylor and Turner.
Although Jenkins started his final 25 collegiate games at center, he does have experience playing both left and right guard. The Packers even think he has the athleticism and positional versatility to play some tackle.
When starting right tackle Bryan Bulaga went out of team work Wednesday, Turner slid over and Jenkins entered at right guard. Meanwhile, Lucas Patrick took most of the snaps at center without Linsley.
